Coach Nicholas Pietras enters his fourth year at Madonna University as the defensive coordinator and his second as Associate Head Coach. Since joining Coach Matta in the summer of 2022, Pietras has overseen all defensive responsibilities and recruiting, transforming the Crusaders' defense into the most aggressive unit in the country. Under his guidance, the defense has established a reputation for relentless pressure, consistently leading the nation in caused turnovers across all levels of collegiate lacrosse. In just three seasons, Pietras has mentored six NAIA All-Americans, eight WHAC All-Conference selections, and two WHAC Defensive Players of the Year. His unit has broken multiple individual and team NAIA defensive records, including total caused turnovers and caused turnovers per game.
The 2024-25 campaign was a historic season for the Crusaders, as the team finished with a 14-6 record, a WHAC regular season championship, and an appearance in the NAIA national semifinals. The defense led the country in total caused turnovers with 374—outpacing the next closest team by 100—and led the nation with 18 caused turnovers per game. In a feat unprecedented in college lacrosse history, three Madonna players ranked first, second, and third nationally in individual caused turnovers. DeMario Williams led the charge with 77 caused turnovers, breaking the NAIA national record previously held by teammate Braeden McCullough. Danny Smith followed with 65, and McCullough finished third with 58. All three players earned First Team All-WHAC and All-American honors, with Williams being named the WHAC Defensive Player of the Year. The unit also led the country in ground balls (830) and ground balls per game (41.5). The season featured four WHAC Defensive Players of the Week and a National Defensive Player of the Week honor for Aiden Haver.
In the 2023-24 season, the Crusaders posted an 8-7 record while continuing to dominate defensively. The unit again led the nation in total caused turnovers (254) and caused turnovers per game (16.9). Individual excellence remained a staple of the program, as freshman Braeden McCullough set a then-NAIA record with 67 caused turnovers, leading the country with a record-breaking 4.47 per game. DeMario Williams added 43 caused turnovers, ranking fourth nationally. Both McCullough and Williams earned First Team All-WHAC and All-American accolades. In the cage, Jeff Varner served as the heart of the defense, leading the country in saves (268) and ranking fourth in save percentage (60.8%), earning WHAC Defensive Player of the Week honors three times.
Pietras’ first year at Madonna, the 2022-23 season, saw the Crusaders finish 8-8 as the defense began to establish its aggressive identity. The unit led the country in caused turnovers per game (14.1) and ranked fourth in total caused turnovers (226). Under Pietras’ tutelage, redshirt senior Kent Westrick experienced a massive breakout, jumping from 28 total caused turnovers in his previous four seasons to 53 in a single campaign. Westrick led the country in caused turnovers per game (3.37) and ranked second in total caused turnovers, becoming the first defenseman in Madonna University history to be named an All-American. Junior goalie Jeff Varner was sensational, leading the country in total saves (267) and ranking second in save percentage (63.9%). Both Westrick and Varner were First Team All-WHAC selections, with Varner earning WHAC Defensive Player of the Year. Following this standout debut, Coach Pietras was named the Madonna University Assistant Coach of the Year.
Beyond his work at Madonna, Pietras is deeply involved in the lacrosse community, currently serving as the Assistant Program Director for True Detroit. Prior to joining the Crusaders, he served as the head coach at Anthony Wayne High School for one season, leading the program to a 13-4 record and its first conference title in over six years. His coaching resume also includes stints with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School, Cass Tech High School, and the Premier Lacrosse Group travel program.
A native of Warren, Michigan, Pietras earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Business Administration from Lourdes University in Toledo, Ohio, where he was a member of the men’s lacrosse program. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Madonna University.
