AT COLLEGE OF IDAHO: 2026 marked Drake O’Neill’s 3rd season at the helm of the College of Idaho Lacrosse program.
The 2026 MCLA National Coach of the Year and 2025 PNCLL Coach of the Year, O’Neill has guided the Yotes to back to back MCLA Tournament appearances (2025, 2026) in his first three years including a MCLA National Championship Final Four appearance and a PNCLL Conference Championship. Under O’Neill the Yotes boast 10 All-Americans. O’Neill has led the Yotes to a 32-11 record (.744) record as head coach.
In 2026, MCLA National Coach of the year Drake O’Neill led College of Idaho to the most successful season in program history. The Yotes posted a 16-2 record, including a 8-0 record vs teams ranked or receiving votes. During this run, C of I claimed their first PNCLL Conference Championship since 2019 and only 3rd in program history. They also made it to the MCLA National Championship Final Four for the first time since 2019 and only second time in program history, knocking off #12 Tampa in the First Round and upsetting #4 Air Force in the Quarterfinals. The Yotes ranked as high as #3 in the national polls throughout the season.
Adding to the Yotes growing national footprint, 8 College of Idaho players were named All-Americans (program record), with two First Team All-Americans (Grayson Flatten & Wyatt Neu). The team also claimed the PNCLL Offensive Player of the Year (Grayson Flatten) and the Freshman of the Year (Trevor Shoopman). The Yotes placed 11 players on the PNCLL All-Conference teams (program record).
O’Neill’s 2025 Yotes highlighted their season with an At-Large bid to the MCLA National Tournament for the first time in program history. They went 9-5 with O’Neill receiving PNCLL Coach of the Year and 10 Yotes being placed on the PNCLL All-Conference teams. Midfielder Paul O’Neill was honored as a MCLA All-American. The Yotes went on a program record 8 game winning streak capped by a top 10 ranked win vs Utah State.
In 2024, O’Neill’s first season, the Yotes went 7-4 with a marquee upset victory against then #7 Montana in triple overtime at Simplot Stadium. At the time this was the second highest ranked opponent defeated in program history. He mentored 1 MCLA All-American and 7 PNCLL All-Conference players.
BEFORE C OF I: Prior to taking the head coach position at The College of Idaho, he was the lead assistant & offensive coordinator at NCAA Division III Oberlin College in Ohio. During his tenure at Oberlin, O’Neill helped lead the Yeomen to the NCAC tournament for the first time in program history in 2022 and then again in 2023. He also helped mentor the programs first Division III Offensive All-American. Prior to his two and a half years at Oberlin, he was a coach at Timberline High School in Boise for the 2021 season. He also coaches a club team for True Lacrosse, having started in 2016.
PERSONAL: As a player, O'Neill played at Timberline for four seasons, graduating in 2016. He then moved on to play at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. While at Rockhurst, he was an NCAA Division II Lacrosse Magazine All-American, and was named to the GLVC All-Conference team three times. He led Timberline to two Idaho state championships while also being named an Idaho High School Lacrosse All American.
