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From staff reports and press release

The University of Virginia ended weeks of speculation by announcing Monday evening that Dom Starsia would not return as head coach.

Starsia, who has won the most games in Division I men’s lacrosse history, was the head coach at UVa for 24 seasons and his squads won four NCAA championships and made 13 Final Four appearances. He was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008, has won more games than any other men’s lacrosse coach in Atlantic Coast Conference history (274) and he guided the Cavaliers to six ACC titles.

A national search to replace Starsia is now underway, University of Virginia director of athletics Craig Littlepage  said.

Rumors that Starsia’s job was in jeopardy promptly more than 200 alumni to contact Littlepage, urging Starsia be retained. It also fueled considerable gossip and speculation. One social media posting erroneously reported Starsia would be offered a three-year contract extension.

“Dom Starsia is a Hall-of Fame-coach and I want to thank him for all he has done for Virginia men’s lacrosse, UVA athletics, the University of Virginia, and the Charlottesville community,” Littlepage said. “In addition to winning 73 percent of his games at UVA with multiple ACC and NCAA championships, Dom was committed to the development of student-athletes as his teams were cited for their sportsmanship and academic achievements. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with and learned from Dom.

“These decisions are not easy and Dom and I have had a number of substantive conversations over the last several weeks regarding the future of the program.”

“When our season ended, Craig informed me of his decision to make a coaching change,” Starsia said. “I wanted to take this moment to thank everyone who has been so gracious to me and my family during our time in Charlottesville. While blessed to have been part of some great teams, this experience has always been about the people and the relationships. I want to thank the players and their families who have been such an important part of my life. I would also like to thank all the coaches and staff who have propped me up over a lot of years, and especially to Marc Van Arsdale, who was here when I arrived 24 years ago. What a joy it has been to coach with my son Joe these past three years. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished here at the University of Virginia.”

Starsia’s tenure at UVa also saw the 2012 conviction of lacrosse player George Huguely for murdering former girlfriend and UVa women’s lacrosse player Yeardley Love in 2010.

Starsia’s contract was scheduled to expire in January 2017. UVa must pay him him approximately $400,000, according to reports.

Among the possible successor for Starsia is Marquette head coach Joe Amplo, the former associate head coach at Hofstra.

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