The sex scandal that rocked the Duke men?s lacrosse program created a ripple effect across the sport?s landscape last summer.
The rape charges, which were later dropped against three Blue Devils, eventually led to then-Duke coach Mike Pressler?s resignation. Longtime Hofstra coach John Danowski then decided to leave the Pride after 21 seasons to help rebuild Duke?s program while coaching his son, Matt, who is a senior with the Blue Devils.
This turn of events led to a great career opportunity for Seth Tierney, who took over at Hofstra after spending the last six seasons as Johns Hopkins? offensive coordinator. The former Blue Jays player is no stranger to Hofstra ? he spent six seasons as an assistant there before going to his alma mater in 2001.
“He?s unbelievable,” said Hofstra sophomore attack Tom Dooley. ” He?s done everything for us. He?s done everything for us from the start. He told us he was going to be by our side through thick and thin, and I can?t ask for a better coach to come in and replace Coach Danowski.”
While on the surface, Hofstra, which suffered a 9-8 loss to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore Saturday, appears to be the perfect fit for Tierney, the program is far different than the one that won an NCAA record-tying 17 straight games last season and advanced to the national quarterfinals. The Pride lost 70 percent of its offense from 2006 to graduation before tragedy struck the program. On Nov. 28, team member Nicholas Colleluori died following a 14-month battle with non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma.
“Hofstra University hired not only the perfect guy, but more importantly they hired the right guy,” said Hopkins coachDave Pietramala, who also was Tierney?s former teammate. “He?s an outstanding coach. He?s a great human being. They have dealt with some tragedy early on, and he?s handled it with class. I think you?re going to hear a lot about Hofstra in the future under Seth Tierney.”
HOFSTRA NOTES
» Current Duke coach John Danowski compiled a 192-123 record with eight conference titles and NCAA tournament berths over 21 seasons at Hofstra.
» Hofstra coach Seth Tierney is the nephew of Princeton coach Bill Tierney. The two teams face off Saturday in New York.
» During Seth Tierney?s six years as Hopkins? offensive coordinator (2001-06), he oversaw a combined 21 All-American attackmen and midfielders.
