Terps midfielder is son of former UNC coach
When John Haus committed to play lacrosse at North Carolina, it barely qualified as news. He was an All-America at Chapel Hill High and his father, also named John, was head coach at UNC.
But that all changed when John Haus was dismissed after eight seasons with the Tar Heels.
Two years later, the younger Haus is a freshman midfielder at Maryland, while Haus, the elder, is coach at Division III Lebanon Valley (Pa.).
Saturday when No. 3 Maryland (6-0) travels to No. 1 North Carolina (8-0), the game will hold more meaning for Haus than just a clash of ACC rivals.
Haus offers little on the subject. “It will be interesting,” he said with a smile.
In his first college season, Haus has been a quick study. As a member of the Terrapins productive second-line midfield, Haus (5 goals, 1 assist) has helped lift a unit that was considered depth-challenged.
“You can step on John’s foot and he wouldn’t say ‘ouch,'” said Maryland coach Dave Cottle. “You can tell he’s a coach’s son. He’s one of these kids, you tell him something once and he’ll do it.”
Haus’ father, a Baltimore native, coached Washington to a Division III national title in 1998, then guided Johns Hopkins, going 20-7 in two seasons before taking over at his alma mater, North Carolina. In eight years, Haus lifted the sagging program, but not enough to satisfy the administration after going 58-52 with three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
