CASTLETON, Vt. - The Vermont State University Castleton Athletic Department announced that Ed Stephenson will step down from his position as Head Coach of the men's lacrosse team.

Stephenson joined Castleton in the fall of 2023, bringing with him nearly three decades of coaching experience, including 19 seasons as a head coach at the NCAA Division I level.

In his first season, Coach Stephenson led the Spartans to a 3-14 overall record and a 2-6 mark in Little East Conference play, securing the team's second-ever playoff berth since joining the conference in 2019. The team faced top-seeded Plymouth State in the opening round, concluding the season with a 17-4 loss to the eventual LEC tournament champions.

The 2025 season saw the Spartans play to a 3-12 record. Despite narrowly missing the playoffs, the team achieved significant individual honors, with Cam Frankenhoff and Zac Smith earning All-Conference Second Team selections. Additionally, 11 student-athletes were named to the LEC Fall 2024 Academic Honor Roll.

"It has been an honor to work at a school where everyone on campus, at every level, has the students' best interest at heart." Said Stephenson, "To work side by side with the amazing people in the athletic department was truly a blessing. Lacrosse has given me so many opportunities in my life that I'm forever grateful, and I will continue to try and pay it back."

A national search for the next head coach will commence immediately.