TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State men’s lacrosse program is excited to announce the hiring of Louis Albasi as its new head coach.

Albasi follows Darby Brower, who stepped aside after coaching the Seminoles for three seasons and amassing a 17-10 record and qualifying FSU for the 2019 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance.

Albasi enters his fourth season with the Seminole’s men’s lacrosse program. After a few successful seasons with the team as an assistant and offensive play caller, he was recently promoted to head coach in May, 2021.

After spending his childhood in the Bronx, Coach Albasi moved to Florida and found home in Vero Beach. During his high school lacrosse career, he flourished in goal as a four-time letterman for Vero Beach High School.

There, Albasi received first team all-area goalie honors in back to back seasons. At Vero Beach, his 72 percent save percentage helped lead the Fighting Indians to four straight district titles.

Since 2011, Albasi has made Tallahassee his home. He started with a very successful run as an assistant coach at the Maclay Prepatory School from 2011-14. He then moved up the ranks and received the head coaching position at Leon High School.

At this time, Albasi was able to balance a great coaching record while receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State. After continued success with Leon after graduating, Coach Albasi led the Lions to their best season ever (15-5) and received Big Bend Coach of the Year honors in 2017.

That was followed in 2018 with a very special year for Albasi. The coach was asked to step in as an interim offensive coach for FSU. Always wanting to return to his alma mater, Albasi had the ability and drive to take the team to new heights.

“We understood that we wouldn’t get better just by chance,” said Albasi. “Preparation and determination are the reasons we would get where we wanted to go. It started with team culture and the coaching staff. We wanted to provide a positive environment for our student athletes in order to make them prosper and be as great as they can.”

During this short playoff stint, he proved that he was a passionate, yet patient leader that had what it takes to help the Seminoles. To be able to make the playoffs during not only a rebuilding year, but also experiencing plenty of adversity was an amazing accomplishment.

FSU quickly noticed the offensive improvement and the leadership skills that Albasi possessed. The following year, he was named the Seminoles assistant coach and offensive coordinator. During the 2019-2021 seasons, Albasi helped Florida State improve dramatically.

The club’s impressive groundball percentage, clearing and riding, strong offense and defense have them consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally.
In addition to his coaching career, Albasi is an active member of the Tallahassee Lacrosse Club, and was one of the founding fathers of the North Florida lacrosse club in the Big Bend area. He also currently sits on the board of the non-profit organization WAVE.

Albasi is getting married to his fiancé, Meredith Smith, late in 2022. They are looking forward to spending their life together with her daughter, Rylen, and building a family and foundation in Tallahassee for years to come.

“Stepping into the driver’s seat as the head coach of the Florida State men’s lacrosse program brings both excitement and a ton of responsibility,” said Albasi. “I feel so fortunate to lead such a wonderful program. I have always had the goal of winning championships with every team I have ever coached.

“That goal will remain the same here at FSU. I look forward to facing tough competition and showing everyone how we can compete at a very high level and also grow as individuals off the field as well.”