Florida Lacrosse Hires Jared Bernhardt as Assistant Coach
“We are thrilled to welcome Jared Bernhardt to our Gator Lacrosse family,” O’Leary said. “Jared’s championship pedigree, his unique experience as a professional athlete in both lacrosse and football, and his deep understanding of the game will be an incredible asset to our program. He is a competitor, a teacher and a person of high character — and we cannot wait for our student-athletes to learn from him.”
Bernhardt comes to Florida with a decorated background in lacrosse and football, as he currently plays in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) for the Denver Outlaws, where he has put up seven goals and two assists in four games. He signed with the Outlaws in June of 2025.
“I am super excited to join Coach O’Leary and her staff,” Bernhardt said. “To grow up in this state and now work at a great University like Florida, I am super appreciative of this opportunity. I cannot wait to get started.”
Welcome to Gator Nation, Jared☀️🌴🐊
We are thrilled to announce that Jared Bernhardt has joined our staff as an assistant coach!
📰: https://t.co/b87CjN750a#FLax | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/tQN11srRNA
— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) July 8, 2025
A native of Longwood, Fla., Bernhardt played college lacrosse at the University of Maryland from 2017-2021, where he totaled 290 points on 202 goals and 88 assists (second all-time in Maryland history in points and goals), appearing and starting in 76 of 76 games. Bernhardt was a four-time All-American in College Park and won the Tewaaraton Award in 2021 (one of-three Terrapins to win the Tewaaraton), while being a finalist in 2019. He started all 19 games as a freshman in 2017, helping the Terrapins win a National Championship.
Bernhardt’s 71 goals in 2021 are a single season program record at Maryland and his 18 goals and 24 points in the 2021 NCAA Tournament are both the most in a single NCAA Tournament.
After his time at Maryland, Bernhardt went on to play football at Division ll powerhouse Ferris State as a Graduate Transfer. Bernhardt earned the spot as the Bulldogs starting quarterback and led the team to a 14-0 season, in route to the programs second NCAA National Championship. He accumulated 1,322 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for 1,421 yards and scoring 26 touchdowns on the ground. He earned Conference Player of the Year.
Following his season at Ferris State, Bernhardt signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL in April of 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He scored the game-winning touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the preseason on Aug. 12, 2022, earning himself a spot on the 53-man roster. He medically retired from the NFL in May of 2023.
This TD is scored by Jared Bernhardt, who just two years ago won the Tewaarton Trophy as the best lacrosse player in the country. He’s playing WR at the NFL level and already making plays. Incredible story.
(🎥: @atlantafalcons) pic.twitter.com/B3g2Vp0WxE
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 13, 2022
In the summer of 2023, Bernhardt returned to his Alma Mater to serve as the Director of Player Development for the men’s lacrosse team, where he spent the 2024 season with Maryland.
The 27-year-old made a return to football in the Canadian Football League when he signed with the BC Lions in September of 2024, where he was apart of the practice roster until May of 2025.
Bernhardt’s Timeline
| Career History | Years |
| Maryland lacrosse player | 2017-2021 |
| Ferris state football quarterback | 2022 |
| Atlanta Falcons wide reciever | Aug. 2022 – May 2023 |
| Maryland Director of Player Development | 2024 season |
| BC Lions football player in CFL | Sept. 2024 – May 2025 |
| Denver Outlaws player in PLL | 2025 – Pres. |
| Florida lacrosse assistant coach | 2025 – Pres. |
editor's pick
latest video
Sports News To You
Subscribe to receive daily sports scores, hot takes, and breaking news!
