Greg Cannella announced his retirement as UMass men’s lacrosse coach on Friday, completing an epic run of more than three decades that sits favorably alongside that of his mentor, the legendary Dick Garber.

“To say we have been fortunate is an understatement,” director of athletics Ryan Bamford said in a statement. “The second winningest coach in program history, coach Cannella’s legacy is also widely recognized for the amazing personal growth of the young men who played for him.”

Cannella’s teams won 256 games and eight conference championships in 31 seasons, reaching nine NCAA tournaments and — as an unseeded team — the 2006 championship game. The 15-7 loss to unbeaten Virginia was the first title-game appearance for a New England school.

Cannella won National Coach of the Year follow

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