The National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Georgia Swarm today announced a multiyear agreement with Ed Comeau to become the team’s new head coach.
“We’re really excited to have a coach of Ed Comeau’s caliber become the next coach of the Swarm,” Georgia Swarm Owner and General Manager John Arlotta said. “He’s a proven winner in the NLL both as an assistant and a head coach. Most importantly, Ed has won championships and that is our goal as we open a new chapter of our team’s history in Georgia.”
Arlotta continued, “He’s a great technician, and he is also well known for being an outstanding communicator and teacher. All of these attributes will be important for getting our talented young team to the next level.”
Comeau, 50, has spent 16 years coaching in the NLL, which is highlighted by five Champion’s Cup titles and a career head coaching record of 54-32 (63-percent). This September, Comeau will serve as the head coach of Team Canada’s indoor team that will compete in the 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Sept. 18-26.
“It’s a great honor to coach in the National Lacrosse League and to be selected to coach a team that’s starting in a new city,” Comeau said. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with the Arlottas, the other staff, and very much looking forward to working with a young group of exceptional lacrosse players.”
The Hamilton, Ontario native started his NLL coaching career an assistant with the Toronto Rock and worked alongside the great Les Bartley, where he won four Champion’s Cups (99-00, 02-03). As Rochester’s head coach in ‘07, Comeau led the Knighthawks to a league-best 14-2 regular season record while capturing a Champion’s Cup title and Head Coach of the Year honors. Comeau was also a recipient of the GM of the Year Award in ‘09 when he coached and managed the New York Titans to a 10-6 regular season record and runner-up finish in the postseason. Most recently, Comeau served as an assistant coach for the Colorado Mammoth in ‘13.
Comeau will take over one of the league’s youngest and most athletic rosters in the NLL when he enters his first season as the Swarm’s head coach. Georgia currently holds picks nos. 1, 3, 5 and 6 in the 2015 NLL Draft in September as well.
“I like to have teams that are going to be athletic on both ends of the floor,” Comeau said. “We want to play with speed but also make sure that we’re a team that’s continuing to improve and is learning. I think that’s really important especially with some of the youth that we have.”
The Swarm’s new bench boss made it clear that his team will have its eyes set on returning to the playoffs next season. Comeau is no stranger to success in the postseason, and his past coaching experience will be a welcomed addition to the Swarm organization.
“Every team starts with one goal: to be the last team standing,” Comeau stated. “Our team won’t be any different. However in order to achieve that goal, it starts with getting to the playoffs; that’s a big focus. The team hasn’t been there in two years and our goal is to get ourselves back into that playoff conversation. It takes a lot of work and a lot of things have to happen for you to get there. Certainly that will be our first goal to put a competitive team on the floor that can compete every night and get ourselves in a position to get in the playoffs next year.”
Comeau also stated that he hopes to finalize his coaching staff in the near future so that preparation can begin for next season. Interviews with potential candidates will take place over the coming weeks.
