Eric Thelen

Eric Thelen has been a member of the Dirty Birds coaching staff since 2022, bringing a Division I playing background and decades of on-field and coaching experience to the program. A Philadelphia-area native, Eric played close defense at Radnor High School and St. Anne’s-Belfield in Charlottesville, VA before earning a spot on the Division I roster at Lehigh University. He transferred to Clemson University after his sophomore season, where he finished his collegiate career as a starting defender and team captain. Following his playing career, Eric remained deeply connected to the game through extensive post-collegiate club lacrosse — competing with teams across the country including the Atlanta Lacrosse Club, Atlanta Travel Lacrosse, Richmond Lacrosse Club, Charlottesville Herd, and currently Team Haole. On the coaching side, Eric has served as Defensive Coordinator for Heroes Lacrosse, Head Coach for Atlanta Travel Lacrosse, and a coach within the Walton Sr. Select and Walton Jr. programs — building a fundamentals-first coaching philosophy centered on defensive discipline, communication, and tactical awareness. He has also dedicated time to Open Door Lacrosse, a nonprofit committed to making the game accessible to all players in Greater Atlanta. With high-level playing experience across collegiate and club lacrosse and a coaching career built on developing well-rounded defenders, Eric brings exceptional knowledge and a deep passion for the game to the Dirty Birds sideline.