DANVILLE, Ky. - Centre Athletics announced the hiring of 2016 Centre graduate Phil Havira as the fourth head coach in the history of the Centre men's lacrosse program.

"This is a special day for Phil Havira, and we celebrate his promotion to head men's lacrosse coach at Centre College," said Brad Fields '98, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Centre. "As an 2016 graduate of the College, and a former player in the program, Phil has recruited to Centre, he has prepared for this opportunity, and he has earned this opportunity.  Most importantly, Phil has earned my trust over the years."

Havira has been with the Centre men's lacrosse staff since 2017 and has served as the full-time assistant coach for the Colonels since 2018. During his seven seasons as full-time assistant, the Colonels accumulated a 76-39 overall record. He will be taking over for Grant Zimmerman, who manned the helm for the Colonels the last seven years before accepting a head coaching position at Roanoke College last week.

"I want to express my sincere thanks to Coach Zimmerman for the outstanding job he has done building Centre Men's Lacrosse over the last seven years," Fields said. "He is an excellent coach, and an even better man.  In his time at Centre, he elevated the program to a national presence.  I wish him nothing but the best in his new quest." 

Havira has played a role in five NCAA tournament appearances for Centre men's lacrosse, three as a coach. As Centre's offensive coordinator, Havira has coached the Southern Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year each of the last five seasons in Will Hubbs (2021, 2022, 2023) and David Caldwell (2024, 2025). During Havira's tenure with Centre, the Colonels have won four SAA regular season titles and three SAA Tournament titles, as well as NCAA Tournament victories in 2021 and 2024, the first in program history. He also served as defensive coordinator for the Colonels in 2018 and helped the team rank 21st nationally in fewest goals allowed per game.

As a player, Havira wore the gold & white for Centre men's lacrosse from 2012-16, being named Team Captain as a senior. His teams posted a 44-18 overall record to kickstart the men's lacrosse program. Havira was a member of Centre's first two NCAA Tournament teams in 2013 and 2014 as well as the 2014 SAA Tournament championship squad, another program first.

"Coach Havira knows the challenge ahead, and he's excited to take it head on," Fields concluded. "He is a leader that understands where we have been, but also believes we have unmet potential still to come.  He is a leaders that bleeds Gold and White – someone that is committed to continuing the growth pattern of this program.  A proven recruiter at Centre, who is a relational coach that understands the demands of Centre – Phil wants to mentor this, and future, generations of Colonels. I believe our best days of lacrosse are still in front of us as we continue to move forward."