University of Rhode Island

Marcell Lazard joined the Rhode Island staff as the defensive line coach in January of 2023. Over the course of his first two seasons, he guided nose guard Westley Neal, Jr. to First Team All-CAA Football honors (2024) while helping the Rams win their first-ever CAA Football title that same year. 

He came to URI after spending two seasons at Nebraska as a graduate assistant coach. While there, he coached the defensive line and linebackers. In addition, he worked with the special teams kickoff and punt return units.

From 2018-19, Lazard was the defensive line coach at Pace University. While there, he also worked with the punt return unit and served as the program's travel coordinator.

Lazard began his collegiate career at Boston College before transferring to West Virginia. He played in 24 games, making 12 starts in his career. In 2016, he was part of an offensive line unit that was among the top three in rushing in the Big 12. Lazard played in the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl, the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl, 2015 Cactus Bowl and the 2014 Liberty Bowl.

In 2017, Lazard earned a bachelor's degree from West Virginia in Multiple Disciplinary Studies, with minors in Athletic Coaching, Communication Studies and Sport & Exercise Psychology.