By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/7/26
Longtime assistant Joe Kivlen has been named head boys’ lacrosse coach at Garnet Valley.
Kivlen has been a Jaguars assistant for 13 years. He replaces Frank Urso, who retired after 18 years as head coach. Kivlen served as head coach at Council Rock North from 2008-2011 (39-32 record).
“My goals are to build a program that develops high character kids and leaders, and to continue the success we’ve had on the field and off the field,” said Kivlen.
Urso had 281 wins in 18 years and guided the Jags to two Central League titles, two District 1 3A crowns, four more berths in the District 1 finals, three PIAA semifinal berths, and one PIAA 3A finals appearance (2022). His teams went to the PIAA tournament 11 times. Kivlen believes that success will carry over.
“It’s really humbling to follow coach Urso, who was one of the best players of all-time (a Hall of Famer from the University of Maryland) and someone who had so much success here,” said Kivlen, a high school Social Studies teacher at Garnet Valley HS. “It’s humbling to take over a program with such amazing kids, amazing parents, and alumni. Everyone is so supportive. It’s exciting, and I will give it my best to live up to the standards.”
What is Kivlen’s coaching philosophy?
“When I was at Council Rock, our motto was ‘Be the best,’ and coach Urso had the same one here,” said Kivlen, who played club lacrosse at Bloomsburg. “I just want to develop kids to be the best version of themselves on and off the field.”
