In just his second year at the helm, Kirkpatrick led Chapman to the best season in its brief history and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. In just its fourth season as a varsity program, he has molded the program into one of the best in the SCIAC and on the West Coast.

Kirkpatrick served as an assistant coach on the women's lacrosse team during its transition from a club sport to varsity sport. He spent three years as an assistant before being named the head coach.

Kirkpatrick began his coaching career in 2010, less than a year removed from his college playing career. Kirkpatrick was a four-year member of Chapman's men's lacrosse team, serving as the team goalie from 2006-09 and was inducted into the program's Hall of Fame in 2012. He spent five years as an assistant with the men's club team.

The women's lacrosse team finished its 2015 season 8-6 but made the leap to 15-5 in 2016. The Panthers advanced all the way to the SCIAC Championship match and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament - the first in program history.

Kirkpatrick led the Panthers back into the SCIAC Tournament championship in 2017 - the Panthers third trip in five years. The Panthers had had three consecutive winning seasons under Kirkpatrick's guidance (2015-17) and back-to-back double digit win seasons in 2016 and 2017.

The Panthers trip to the title match was its second in four years. In 2016, they had seven All-SCIAC selections and five IWLCA All-region selections. His first season as Head Coach saw five Panthers earn All-SCIAC honors.