PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The Stanford University men's lacrosse program is pleased to announce that Paul Jepsen will be the team's head coach starting with the 2019 campaign.

Jepsen joins the Cardinal after four years at archrival Cal-Berkeley, where he helped the Bears to a 44-22 record, including invitations to the last three MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour. In 2017, Cal advanced to the national semifinals.

"First off, I'd like to thank the Cal men's lacrosse team and head coach Ned Webster for four amazing seasons," Jepsen said. "I am honored to be given this opportunity to lead Stanford men's lacrosse and look forward to building on the program's past success. Stanford has a rich academic and lacrosse history and is comprised of exceptional student-athletes, parents and alumni. I'd like to thank Alex Haigh, Brian Karalunas and Christian Obando for their confidence in my ability to lead the team to new heights."

Prior to joining Cal, Jepsen spent two seasons as the assistant coach at Greenwich (Conn.) High School varsity lacrosse team. During his stint, Greenwich won the Connecticut state championship and finished No. 11 in the final Under Armour National High School Power Ranking.

Before joining Greenwich, he spent a season as head coach at South Elgin (Ill.) High School.

"One of the hardest things I've ever had to do professionally was act as a reference for Paul," said Cal coach Ned Webster. "It felt like selling my brother to the enemy, Over the past four years, Paul and I developed a seamless working relationship and, much more importantly, a strong friendship. Paul is an innately good person, he knows the game and I know he'll do wonderful things for Stanford."

"Coach Jepsen combines a top-notch lacrosse IQ with an understanding of how to build a successful MCLA program from his time coaching at Cal, and we're incredibly excited to have him leading Stanford men's lacrosse," added Haigh, the Cardinal's starting goalie last season.

Jepsen played collegiately at Duke University where he was a three-year starter at close defense and was a co-captain in '04.

Stanford finished the 2018 season with a 4-10 mark and will look to get back to the WCLL tournament after missing out on the playoffs last spring.