Jun 29
Princeton’s search for a replace for the legendary Bill Tierney has ended.
The Tigers, one of the nation’s strongest and most tradition-rich programs, have named former John Jay star Chris Bates as their new head coach.
Bates, a 1986 John Jay graduate who went on to star at Dartmouth, spent the last 10 seasons transforming the Drexel men’s lacrosse program into a perennial contender for the Colonial Athletic Association contender.
Tierney announced on June 8 that he had decided to leave Princeton, where he had won six national championships, to take over as Denver’s head coach.
You can read more about Bates’ appointment, which was just announced moments ago this afternoon by Princeton, by clicking here.
Reach Joe Lombardi at joe@laxlessons.com.
June 29th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
This is nice for JJ’s program. For us to have an alumni to head coach at a program of this stature is great. Go Coach Bates!
June 29th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
With Bate’s connections to John Jay I think we can add Princeton to Hop and Cuse in the Mikey Daniello recruiting sweepstakes.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Good for him, but it’s too bad. I was considering going to Drexel.
June 30th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Lets go Chris make Coach Kear proud!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Hear Santangelo and Keough of Rye have made verbal commitments to Fairfield and Notre Dame, respectively, and will attend after a PG yr. at Westminster.
Congrats!!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I heard Daniello lit it up at Nike Blue Chip and is getting offers already from North Carlolina.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:20 am
[...] Princeton turns to John Jay grad Bates Jun 29 Email This [...]
June 30th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
[...] • Princeton turns to John Jay grad Bates [...]
June 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I feel bad for Nick Trizano, who committed to Drexel. What do you think about that?
June 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Kyng -
I did address the situation involving current Drexel players and recruits in the updated story I just posted:
http://laxlessons.com/blog/2009/06/bates-is-off-and-running-at-princeton/
As for my thoughts. As much as recruits are told, pick the school, not the coach, the fact is it’s a huge factor no matter what sport.
I’m sure whomever is named the new coach at Drexel will reach out to the current players and incoming freshmen as his first order of business as Chris Bates is now doing at Princeton. At that point, Nick Trizano will feel a lot more comfortable with the situation I’m sure. But I fully expect he will follow through with his commitment.
July 5th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
[...] • Princeton turns to John Jay grad Bates [...]