Chris Panos is a results-driven coach having played lacrosse with intense ferocity at the highest level possible. A 12+ year veteran of the National Lacrosse League, whose career is decorated with an exhaustive list of accolades, championships, world class accomplishments and a lifetime of top-notch achievements. Chris is a competitor who knows what it takes exceptional leadership skills, intense focus, and steadfast commitment to excellence to reach the highest level of success.
Chris has over 40 years combined playing and coaching experience, growing up on Long Island, NY, he picked up his first lacrosse stick around the age of six. After years of playing in the Sachem School District, Panos earned a scholarship to play lacrosse at Hofstra University.
In 1997, Panos was an MILL first round selection, fourth overall for the Boston Blazers in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. He continued his success and development in Canada competing in the Ontario Lacrosse Association and the Western Lacrosse Association. From 1997-2006, Panos won the coveted Mann Cup three times with the Victoria Shamrocks in 1999, 2004 and 2006 with the Peterborough Lakers. In the NLL, Panos played in three Champions Cups; with Baltimore Thunder in 1998, Philadelphia Wings in 2001, and Arizona Sting in 2005. He won the coveted NLL World Champions Cup in 2001 as a member of the Philadelphia Wings. In 2001, Panos was honored to be selected for the Team USA Indoor team. He played on Team USA for nine years and earned many accolades such as a Heritage Cup in 2001, a Bronze Medalist at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2003 and 2007 and the Bowhunter Cup in 2010.
Panos spent three seasons as Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach at the University of Tampa Spartans from 2014-2016 helping the program become a national powerhouse ranked in the top-five nationally each season. In three seasons, Tampa accumulated a 46-10 overall record, while going 21-0 in the Sunshine State Conference. Tampa's scoring offense also ranked top-20 in the nation each season. The Spartans picked up three SSC Championships with Panos on staff, while making three NCAA Championship appearances with the first in program history coming in 2014. The Spartans reached the quarterfinals in 2015, while going to the Final Four in both 2014 and 2016.
During his three years with Tampa, Panos coached 30 All-SSC Team honorees, 8 All-Americans and two SSC Players of the Year.
Today, Panos resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, where since July 2016 had served as the Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Director for Queens University of Charlotte. In 2019, he took over as Head Coach, where the Royals enjoyed a remarkable season with the best record in program history, advancing to the NCAA tournament for only the second time ever. The Royals are among the nation's top NCAA D-2 programs and consistently rank in the Top 15. To date, Panos has coached numerous All-Conference and All-American players in the South Atlantic Conference while at Queens. Additionally, the program has reached the coveted SAC Championship in 2017 and 2019. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were cut short due to COVID-19, but the team was well on its way to successful campaigns under his leadership.
In November of 2017, Panos had the honor of being named Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Greece Lacrosse Men's National Team competing in the 2018 World Games in Netanya, Israel. The team finished 19th out of 46 countries in their first and only appearance in the World Games and were recognized as one of the most competitive teams throughout the tournament. He will serve again in that role for the 2022 European Lacrosse Championships in preparation for the World Games.
He also serves as the President of Panos Lacrosse, a world-class platform for aspiring youth lacrosse players. He also offers exclusive private training, hybrid camps, clinics, as well as recruiting services for experienced players. Panos is also heavily involved in local and national charity projects, community services and enjoys giving his time to help create awareness through donations and fundraising events. Chris encourages integrity, class, respect, discipline and accountability, both on and off the field. These are standards Panos not only strives to instill in his young players, but also holds himself personally accountable to an extremely high standard of character as well.