SPARKS, Md. — A pair of coaches that led the United States to Federation of International Lacrosse world championships in dramatic fashion will return for a second term coaching in the U.S. National Team Program.
John Danowski, who led the U.S. men’s senior team to a 9-8 victory over Canada in the FIL Men’s World Championship in Israel this past July, will return as the head coach of the U.S. men’s team for the 2022 FIL championship in Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Nick Myers, who led the U.S. men’s U19 team to a come-from-behind 13-12 victory over the host Canadian team in the 2016 FIL U19 World Championship, will be back as the head coach for the U.S. men’s U19 team for the 2020 FIL U19 world championship in Limerick, Ireland.
This will be the first time in the history of the U.S. men’s program that a coach will serve as a head coach for more than one term. Sue Stahl, Wendy Kridel and Ricky Fried all won multiple titles with the U.S. women’s program.
“The U.S. National Teams High Performance Committee decided it is appropriate to consider the option of rehiring any of our national teams head coaches for one additional term,” said Skip Lichtfuss, director of the U.S. National Team Program. “This precedent is a standard among National Governing Bodies in other sports and has proven successful in terms of continuity of philosophy and performance. As such, we’re delighted that coaches Danowski and Myers will lead our teams in the quest of championships.
“The processes, being very different between the U19 and senior men, were managed with great skill and vision by both of these outstanding coaches. They represent the best that our program has to offer and understand the importance of collaboration, respect and humility when dealing with these elite athletes.”
Danowski, the head coach at Duke, is the winningest coach in the history of NCAA Division I lacrosse. Since taking over the Duke program in 2007, he has led the Blue Devils to the NCAA title game five times, most recently in 2018, and brought home national championships in 2010, 2013 and 2014. Previously the head coach at C.W. Post and Hofstra, Danowski has a career coaching record of 399-194 at the collegiate level.
“I’m humbled and honored to be asked to do this a second time,” Danowski said. “It was such a positive experience on so many levels, from the collaboration with US Lacrosse, the support staff, the coaching staff and the relationships we built with the players. Our goal was to change the culture and create a program, not an all-star team. I don’t think we feel like our work is finished.”
Myers, the head coach at Ohio State, has been building the Buckeyes into one of the nation’s premier programs. Ohio State reached the NCAA championship game in 2017 when it won a school record 16 games. He is the winningest coach in Ohio State history, having compiled a record of 93-70 in his first 10 seasons while leading the Buckeyes to the NCAA quarterfinal round three times.
“I want to thank Skip Lichtfuss, the hiring committee and US Lacrosse for this tremendous opportunity to return as the U.S. U19 National Team head coach,” Myers said. “I’m proud to accept the responsibility and look forward to the opportunity that lies ahead.”
The application process for the coaching and support staffs for the two teams will be announced shortly. A committee consisting of past U.S. team coaches and US Lacrosse staff will make the staff selections.
The U.S. men’s national team trains and plays using best-in class products provided by Nike (apparel and footwear), Cascade (helmets), STX (equipment), Warrior (equipment), SISU Guard (mouthguards), The Pearl by Guardian (balls) and DJO (sports braces).
In addition to these partners, MedStar Sports Medicine, Chipotle, Greenfields and Nationwide are official sponsors of the national team. Team training is also aided by products from Motive Pure, NormaTec Recovery and Athletic Republic.
