Coach Chris Layne

Head Coach, Boys Lacrosse | Downingtown East High School

Coach Chris Layne is in his second year leading the Downingtown East Boys Lacrosse program, bringing more than 15 years of coaching experience across respected youth, club, and school programs—including Lionville Youth Association, Malvern Prep, Dawgs LC, Greenwich Warriors, 2Way, PYLA, Headstrong, Larchmont Mamaroneck Youth Lacrosse, Madison Youth Lacrosse, and Riot LC. Under his leadership, Downingtown East earned a 2025 PIAA Playoff appearance and a strong 17–6 season record, signaling the program’s continued rise.

A Downingtown native, Coach Layne began playing lacrosse in fourth grade at LYA before starring at Malvern Prep and competing at both the University of North Carolina and Loyola University. His playing career includes a 2012 NCAA Division I National Championship, a 2006 Pennsylvania State Championship, and numerous individual honors, including EPSLA All-American, Under Armour All-American, 2× All-State Midfielder, and 3× All-Inter-Ac Midfielder. He finished his collegiate career with 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists).

Coach Layne holds a B.A. in Public Relations & Advertising from Loyola University (2013). He believes in creating an environment where players enjoy the game, compete with integrity, and strive daily to improve both on and off the field.

He is one of five siblings—four of whom played college lacrosse—and enjoys spending his free time fishing and hunting.

📧 Contact: clayne@dasd.org 

Coach Kyle Marcks

Assistant Coach, Boys Lacrosse | Downingtown East High School

Coach Kyle Marcks is in his second year coaching at Downingtown East, bringing 15 years of coaching experience to the program. His background includes work with Lionville, Chester County All Stars, Freedom LC, Titan Lacrosse Camps, LYA, and the Downingtown East Varsity staff. In 2025, he contributed to the team’s PIAA Playoff appearance and 17–6 overall record, with even bigger goals ahead for the program.

A proud Downingtown East alumnus (Class of 2009), Coach Marcks played locally through LYA before competing at the University of Pittsburgh and East Stroudsburg University. His accomplishments include four Ches-Mont Championships, the 2007 Pennsylvania State Championship, 2× All–Ches-Mont, and Second Team All-State honors. He holds a B.A. in Athletic Training and Kinesiology from East Stroudsburg University and is both a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

Coach Marcks believes every player brings unique strengths to the field and focuses on helping each athlete grow through confidence, accountability, and competitive spirit. He emphasizes respecting every opponent while never backing down from a challenge—embracing the mindset that iron sharpens iron.

Raised in Exton and Chester Springs, Coach Marcks is deeply rooted in the Downingtown community. He and his wife, Randall, have two young children who keep him joyfully busy. Outside of lacrosse, he enjoys woodworking and carpentry.

📧 Contact: kmarcks.hpc@gmail.com 

coach joe horvath

Junior Varsity Head Coach, Boys Lacrosse | Downingtown East High School

Coach Joe Horvath has been a dedicated teacher and coach in the Downingtown Area School District for 29 years, serving as a leader across soccer, wrestling, and boys’ lacrosse. With 27 years of lacrosse coaching experience at both Downingtown High School and Downingtown East, he has guided teams to exceptional success—including Ches-Mont Championships in 2022, 2023, and 2024—and holds impressive career records of 72–19 at the varsity level and 158–104–17 at JV.

A proud Bucknell University graduate (B.A. ’94) with two advanced degrees from West Chester University (M.Ed. ’02, M.A. ’08), Coach Horvath believes lacrosse teaches discipline, confidence, and teamwork—values that extend far beyond the field.

He resides in Chester Springs with his wife, Susan, and is the proud father of Bo and Bailey, both Downingtown East alumni.

📧 Contact: jhorvath@dasd.org 

Coach Cole Millard

Defensive Coordinator | Downingtown East Boys Lacrosse

Coach Cole Millard joins the Downingtown East Lacrosse program as Defensive Coordinator, bringing a strong playing background and a passion for player development. A standout defender at Eastern University, he holds program records for career starts (74) and games played (77), ranks second all-time in caused turnovers (112), and helped lead his team to a MAC Freedom Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Before his collegiate success, Coach Millard earned multiple defensive and MVP honors at Royal High School and Chaminade College Prep. Now in his first year of coaching, he helped guide Downingtown East to a 2025 PIAA Playoff appearance.

He holds a B.S. in Biology from Eastern University and lives in West Chester, where he enjoys video games, pickleball, and all things NFL. Coach Millard’s philosophy centers on creating an environment where every player—regardless of experience—has fun, grows their skills, and reaches their full potential both on and off the field.

📧 Contact: colemmillard24@gmail.com 

Coach Spencer Cobb

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Downingtown East Boys Lacrosse

Coach Spencer Cobb brings seven years of strength and conditioning experience to the Downingtown East Lacrosse program, with a background coaching athletes across multiple sports and programs including Downingtown West Girls Lacrosse and Basketball, Phoenixville Area School District, Freedom Lacrosse, NXT, and Delco Goats Basketball. A former multi-sport athlete himself, he played baseball at Downingtown East and continued his career at West Chester University.

Coach Cobb holds a B.S. in Nutrition from West Chester University and is certified as an NSCA-CPT and NSCA-CSCS, with additional CPR/AED training. His coaching philosophy centers on long-term athletic development, fostering self-sufficiency, accountability, and growth both in and out of training.

A 2015 Downingtown East graduate, he has coached within the district for the past four years. Outside of coaching, he enjoys Philadelphia sports, golf, fishing, and traveling.

📧 Contact: 6tenperformance@gmail.com