DEDICATED TO DEVELOPMENT
iQ Lacrosse was founded in 2021 with a single, simple mission: player development.
As a former Division I USILA Scholar All-American and U.S. Box National Team midfielder, iQ Lacrosse Founder, Austin Popovich, has built every aspect of the program on a foundation of developing future leaders of the sport, both on and off the field. The name iQ Lacrosse reflects our commitment to the mental side of the game. Understanding the "why" behind every movement, making quick decisions under pressure, and reading the field in real time are at the core of our coaching philosophy. We strive to develop smarter players, not just faster ones, because lacrosse IQ often separates good players from great ones. The lowercase “i” in our name represents humility and selflessness: no egos, no shortcuts. Just hard work, discipline, and a team-first mindset.
As a proud PLL Verified Organization, we are committed to delivering the most comprehensive lacrosse training and club lacrosse team experiences in Central Ohio. Our coaching staff is composed of former collegiate and professional lacrosse players and coaches who have proven their immense dedication to the sport and understand what it takes to compete at the highest level. Whether in private training lessons, group training clinics, or club team practices, our experienced coaches provide individualized, 1:1 feedback to ensure that each athlete receives the attention they need to grow and succeed.
We currently offer lacrosse skills training for boys and girls in grades 3-12, as well as competitive club teams for boys 2028-2034. Our coaching style is designed to foster player development at all levels. For beginners, we focus on building a strong foundation of fundamental skills and a thorough understanding of the game. For more experienced athletes, our position-specific, high-intensity training sharpens skills, advances lacrosse IQ, and challenges players to reach their full potential. Every rep is purposeful, every movement is coached, and every athlete is held to a standard that prepares them for the demands of lacrosse at the next level.
We don’t chase hype. We build stronger athletes. Welcome to iQ Lacrosse.
BOYS & GIRLS
BOYS 2034-2028
AUSTIN POPOVICH
FOUNDER, HEAD COACH, & HEAD TRAINER
Austin brings 15 years of playing experience and 9 years of coaching experience as the Founder of iQ Lacrosse. His lacrosse journey began in Columbus at just 8 years old, where he had the opportunity to be part of the first generation of club lacrosse in central Ohio. From the moment he picked up a stick, Austin fell in love with the game and has grown alongside it ever since.
After earning First-Team All-State honors at St. Francis DeSales High School, Austin went on to play Division I lacrosse as a midfielder for Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania. During his time at RMU, he achieved 2x NEC Conference Champion, 4x NEC Academic Honor Roll, NEC Player of the Week, 2020 USILA Scholar All-American, and 2020 MLL Recruit.
Austin has also played at the international level for the U.S. Box Lacrosse National Team, been selected for the prestigious D1 North vs. South Game, and competed in the Under Armour All-American Games.
After graduating in '21, Austin returned to Columbus and founded iQ Lacrosse. Grateful for the life-changing experiences lacrosse has given him, he is dedicated to creating those same amazing memories for the next generation of central Ohio players.
DOM MARZANO
BOYS HEAD COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
As an MLL Champion and PLL Runner-Up, Dom brings a vast background of lacrosse knowledge and coaching experience as a head coach at iQ Lacrosse. During his 9 years of professional coaching, he worked with the MLL Ohio Machine 2014-2017 and the PLL Redwoods 2019-2023 as an Assistant Coach where he achieved 2017 MLL Champion and 2019 PLL Runner-up. During his 11 years of NCAA coaching, he started the Wilmington College lacrosse program in 2013 followed by coaching at Capital University where he achieved 2019 OAC Champion, 2x OAC Runner-up, 2x OAC Coach of the Year, and 26 All-OAC selections.
JESSE LAWRENCE
BOYS HEAD COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
Jesse brings an extensive background of playing experience and 9 years of NCAA coaching experience as a head coach at iQ Lacrosse. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University where he achieved First-Team All Conference as a Face-off Specialist, 2x NCAC Conference Champion, and 4 NCAA tournament appearances he moved on to coach for OWU. In his time coaching at OWU as a Face-off Coordinator and Asst. Defensive Coordinator, he helped earn Coach of the Year accolades, won 2 NCAC Conference Championships, and made 2 NCAA Tournament appearances. He then moved on to coach at Capital University as Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator where he helped set the school record for wins in a season and consecutive wins while also achieving an OAC Conference Championship. He has also had the honor of assisting with the Danish National Team.
CHRIS REYNOLDS
BOYS HEAD COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
Chris brings 10 years of playing experience and 4 years of coaching/training experience. In his time at Worthington Kilbourne, he was named All-State First Team, All-Region First Team, All-OCC First Team, & All-Midwest First Team and led Worthington Kilbourne to the state championship as a senior. In his time at Robert Morris University, he achieved 2x NEC Conference Champion and started at goaltender in two NCAA Tournament games, getting the win against Canisius and recording seven saves against #1 Maryland.
CONNOR BUZZELLI
BOYS HEAD COACH
Connor brings over 17 years of playing experience and 8 years of coaching experience as a Head Coach at iQ Lacrosse. Connor played at Peters Township High School in Pittsburgh, PA and went on to play as a Division 2 defender at Wheeling Jesuit University (2014-2019) where he achieved GMAC Second Team All-Conference, recorded over 120 ground balls, and 75 caused turnovers. He has served as a leader on and off the field with over 350 hours of community service, leading the spiritual retreat KAIROS, and as a staff member for WU’s HESS mentorship program. After graduating, he continued to coach club lacrosse and is now entering his 4th season as the Thomas Worthington Junior Varsity head coach.
LANDON TROUT
BOYS HEAD COACH
A former collegiate standout, Coach Trout was a four-year starter who earned USILA Scholar All-American honors and Second-Team All-Southern Conference recognition at Bellarmine University (D1). He led his team in scoring multiple seasons, finishing his career ranked second in the Knights' history with 105 points, including 65 goals and 40 assists, across 49 games.
Known for his playmaking ability and leadership, he appeared in every game across four years, recording double-digit multi-goal and multi-assist performances. In addition, he helped lead Team USA to a silver medal in the US Box Lacrosse (USBOXLA) National tournament in 2018.
Since completing a degree in sports administration at Bellarmine University in the spring of 2021, Landon has coached at Bridgewater College, Lacrosse Academy, and Resolute Elite. His combination of academic excellence, athletic achievement, and competitive experience brings high-level insight and energy as a Head Coach at iQ Lacrosse.
MARCUS DIETZ
BOYS ASSISTANT COACH
Marcus brings an extensive background of playing and coaching experience as an Assistant Coach at iQ Lacrosse. After playing at St. Francis Desales High School where he achieved 2012 State Champion, Marcus went on to play at CCBC Essex in Maryland. As a team captain, he achieved NJCAA All-American, MVP of NJCAA, Offensive Player of the Year at Essex, and led the nation in points. He then went on to play at Ohio Wesleyan University where he achieved 2x NCAA All-American, MVP of NCAC, Offensive Player of the Year at OWU, and Newcomer of the Year at OWU. After graduating, he played 5 years professionally for The Ohio Machine (MLL) where he won the 2017 MLL Championship. He has coached club lacrosse for the past 11 years and has won 7 tournament championships in his time coaching.
NOEL SAFFOLD
GIRLS COACH & SKILLS TRAINER
Noel brings 8+ years of playing experience and 3+ years of coaching and training expertise to her role as Girls Coach and Skills Trainer at iQ Lacrosse. Her lacrosse journey began in high school, where she started as a freshman and quickly developed a passion for the sport, having also been a dedicated basketball player since age 5. At Westerville North High School, Noel was a 4-year letterman and played a key role in leading the team to its first back-to-back winning seasons since 2010. Her leadership and skill earned her All-OCC First Team and All-OCC Second Team honors. After graduating, she continued her lacrosse career as a starting defender at Notre Dame College, further honing her abilities on the field. Noel later became the first head coach in WLC history to win the Shamrock Invitational and is now serving as the Varsity Girls Head Coach at Westerville South High School where she continues to inspire young athletes through her dedication to the lacrosse community.
RYAN COCHRAN
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING TRAINER
Passionate, experienced, and dedicated, Ryan leverages his firsthand athletic experience and professional expertise to help athletes reach their highest potential. As a former international rugby player who dedicated 20 years to the sport, Ryan brings a rich athletic history and deep understanding of an athlete's needs to his training approach. For 13 years, he has honed his craft in personal training and strength and conditioning, with a primary focus on preparing athletes to perform at their best. His extensive professional journey includes working with renowned sports organizations, such as Tiger Rugby and the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports, where he trained numerous Olympic athletes across various disciplines. Ryan has also had the privilege of working with the South African 7s rugby team, equipping them with the physical prowess needed to compete on the world stage.
