Marywood University Pacers

Jon Knowles enters his fourth season as the men's lacrosse head coach at Marywood University. Knowles served as the team's coach during the Fall 2018 non-traditional season. In the summer of 2020, Knowles added responsibilities as the Fitness Center and Conditioning Supervisor.

Prior to Marywood, Knowles was the head coach at Scranton Preparatory School for seven years. He led the Cavaliers from a start-up program to a pair of PIAA District 2 runner-up finishes. Knowles earned Northeast Pennsylvania Lacrosse Coach of the Year laurels in 2013, 2016 and 2018. Scranton Prep produced two All-Eastern Pennsylvania, four All-NEPA, and 14 First Team All-Conference selections. 

Knowles served in the Marine Corps from 2005-13. He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom; and was primarily stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Knowles was Honorably Discharged with distinctions that include Naval Good Conduct Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, Sea Service Deployment Award, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Ribbon. 

In the fall 2018 season, the men's lacrosse team teamed with Bard and Western Connecticut for Vs. Cancer to raise funds to combat pediatric cancer.  As of 2021, the men's lacrosse team had raised over $10,000 for the HeadStrong Foundation; another local cancer charity.

A native of both the Scranton and Syracuse areas, Knowles played at lacrosse powerhouse Tully Central in Upstate New York. His brother Collin won an NCAA Division II championship at LeMoyne and played professionally in Denver. 

Knowles resides in Scranton. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Empire State College.

*Spring 2020 season was canceled March 13, 2020 due to COVID-19