Men's Lacrosse
James Chakey
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Alma Mater:
- Penn State, 2016
- Office Phone:
- 478-301-4615
- Email:
- menslaxstaff@mercer.edu
A 16-year coaching veteran with previous coaching stops at three other collegiate institutions, James Chakey was named as the Mercer men’s lacrosse program’s fifth head coach on July 24, 2026. A former collegiate standout at Penn State, Chakey ventured to Macon after serving the previous two seasons as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Brown.
Chakey helped lead Brown to a 3-game turnaround across two seasons in Rhode Island, including a 2026 campaign that was highlighted by the program’s ninth-straight Ocean State title after the Bears dominated matchups with in-state foes Providence and Bryant. Brown, who went toe-to-toe with five nationally-ranked squads, including a trio of teams that boasted a top-10 rating, concluded the campaign with a No. 38 listing in the NCAA RPI ranking.
Player development was evident across Chakey’s time in College Hill, R.I., as Brown boasted a pair of all-Americans in Trey Taylor and Marcus Wertheim, as well as a trio of all-region picks and five All-Ivy League selections. Wertheim was eventually selected with the 26th overall pick by the California Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League’s (PLL) college draft.
The Bears were also dominant in the classroom as well, registering the nation’s highest team grade point average in 2026, while also matching an NCAA Division I-high with six United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-American honors.
Following a long stint on the youth lacrosse level, as well as a two-year stay as assistant coach at Cary (N.C.) Academy, Chakey transitioned into the collegiate coaching world on the sidelines at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., where he helped lead the Shoremen on a 3-game turnaround across two seasons (2022-23) while mentoring five all-conference standouts. He spent the 2024 season at High Point where he constructed a defense that showcased the nation’s 10th-best caused turnovers per game (9.69), while also ranking 32nd in scoring defense (11.1 goals allowed/game).
A staunch defenseman, Chakey played in 47 games across four seasons (2013-16) at Penn State and concluded his collegiate career with four points on two goals and as many assists. He was named the recipient of the program’s True Grit Award following his senior campaign which is given to a student-athlete that overcomes adversity while continuing to succeed in the classroom and on the playing field throughout their career, and was also crowned as PSU’s recipient of the Big Ten’s Sportsmanship Award.
He was also recognized as a finalist for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award which celebrates the accomplishments of Division I lacrosse players (one male, one female) who demonstrate leadership, dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, kindness and sportsmanship.
A native of Havertown, Pa., Chakey earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in communications from Penn State in 2016. James and his wife, Megan, have a son, JT.
Updated: July, 2026
Chakey helped lead Brown to a 3-game turnaround across two seasons in Rhode Island, including a 2026 campaign that was highlighted by the program’s ninth-straight Ocean State title after the Bears dominated matchups with in-state foes Providence and Bryant. Brown, who went toe-to-toe with five nationally-ranked squads, including a trio of teams that boasted a top-10 rating, concluded the campaign with a No. 38 listing in the NCAA RPI ranking.
Player development was evident across Chakey’s time in College Hill, R.I., as Brown boasted a pair of all-Americans in Trey Taylor and Marcus Wertheim, as well as a trio of all-region picks and five All-Ivy League selections. Wertheim was eventually selected with the 26th overall pick by the California Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League’s (PLL) college draft.
The Bears were also dominant in the classroom as well, registering the nation’s highest team grade point average in 2026, while also matching an NCAA Division I-high with six United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-American honors.
Following a long stint on the youth lacrosse level, as well as a two-year stay as assistant coach at Cary (N.C.) Academy, Chakey transitioned into the collegiate coaching world on the sidelines at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., where he helped lead the Shoremen on a 3-game turnaround across two seasons (2022-23) while mentoring five all-conference standouts. He spent the 2024 season at High Point where he constructed a defense that showcased the nation’s 10th-best caused turnovers per game (9.69), while also ranking 32nd in scoring defense (11.1 goals allowed/game).
A staunch defenseman, Chakey played in 47 games across four seasons (2013-16) at Penn State and concluded his collegiate career with four points on two goals and as many assists. He was named the recipient of the program’s True Grit Award following his senior campaign which is given to a student-athlete that overcomes adversity while continuing to succeed in the classroom and on the playing field throughout their career, and was also crowned as PSU’s recipient of the Big Ten’s Sportsmanship Award.
He was also recognized as a finalist for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award which celebrates the accomplishments of Division I lacrosse players (one male, one female) who demonstrate leadership, dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, kindness and sportsmanship.
A native of Havertown, Pa., Chakey earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in communications from Penn State in 2016. James and his wife, Megan, have a son, JT.
| THE CHAKEY FILE | |
| Coaching Experience | |
| 2011-18 | Mesa Fresh Philly Fever Youth Lacrosse |
| 2020-21 | Cary (N.C.) Academy (Assistant Coach) |
| 2022-23 | Washington College (Assistant Coach) |
| 2024 | High Point (Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator) |
| 2025-26 | Brown (Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator) |
| 2026-Present | Mercer (Head Coach) |
| Playing Experience | |
| Played in 47 games across four seasons (2013-16) as a defender at Penn State. Earned PSU's True Grit Award following senior campaign, while also being named as a finalist for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award. | |
| Education | |
| Bachelor's degree in criminology with a minor in communications (Penn State, 2016 | |
| Family | |
| Wife, Megan; Son, JT | |
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