Interim Tag Removed From GWU's Harris
May 27, 2025 | Women's Lacrosse
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb University officials have announced that the interim tag has been removed from Runnin' Bulldogs women's lacrosse head coach Chris Harris. The announcement was made official on Monday, May 26.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve as the head coach of the women's lacrosse program at Gardner-Webb," said Harris. "I would like to thank Interim President Nate Evans and Interim Athletic Director Chuck Burch for the opportunity to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs. I am fully committed to working hard and guiding the program towards new levels of success. As always, it's a great day to be a 'Dawg!"
Harris took over the program just before the start of the 2025 season after an abrupt departure of two-year head coach Kathleen Crum. He becomes the fifth head coach in the program's history.
During his interim tenure at Gardner-Webb, Harris led the Runnin' Bulldogs to a three wins season and a berth into the Big South Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament, the first since the 2022 season.
"Although I have only been here a short time, Chris has impressed me with his passion for out lacrosse program," said Burch. "It is obvious that he cares about the young ladies in the program and wants to see them succeed, on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the Boiling Springs community. I am confident he will make the most of this opportunity and work hard to develop a program we can all be proud of."
Prior to his arrival in Boiling Springs, Harris spent four seasons at Divisio II Chowan. He served as the assistant coach his first three years before taking over the program in year four.
The Hawks set several program-highs across Harris' four total years with the program, including a 100% graduation rate off the field to go along with a top ten defense nationally in caused turnovers per game, a top fifteen offense that ranked highly in total shots and shots per game, and saw a top 50 individual player in points per game while competing in Conference Carolinas.
Harris also helped as a director of operations for the Hawks, overseeing film breakdown, recruiting, playbooks, inventory and budgeting, as well as practice planning and game setup. In addition, Harris also spent the same duration of time as Chowan's head cross country coach, taking the lead for two university programs.
Prior to his stint at Chowan, Harris had a successful four-year run as the head women's lacrosse coach at Northside High School in Jacksonville, N.C. Over his tenure, Northside saw 13 all-league players and Harris was named conference coach of the year in 2018 and 2019. Harris also spent one season leading the school's men's lacrosse program as well.
