John Danowski Named 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach
By Lane Errington | @Lane_Errington
Cecil Copeland
US Lacrosse today announced John Danowski as head coach of the 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team. A three-time NCAA champion coach at Duke University, Danowski will lead Team USA’s pursuit of a record 10th gold medal at the 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championship in Manchester, England.
In his nine years at Duke, Danowski has compiled a record of 140-38. He led the Blue Devils to seven ACC regular-season titles and four ACC tournament titles, eight consecutive appearances in the national semifinals (2007-14), and NCAA championships in 2010, 2013 and 2014. He is one of five active coaches to have won at least two NCAA titles and one of nine coaches all-time to win three national titles. Duke’s 123 wins since 2007 under Danowski are the most by any Division I program during that span.
“I’m honored to be chosen as the head coach for the 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team,” Danowski said. “There is no greater honor than to represent your country and I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of those coaches who came before me. I look forward to working with the US Lacrosse staff to select a group of men with whom we can build a sustainable culture of excellence.”
Danowski’s accolades include ACC Coach of the Year (2007, 2011, 2012), USILA Division I Coach of the Year (1993, 2010, 2013), USILA Howdy Meyers Man of the Year (2014) and Lacrosse Magazine Person of the Year (2007). He is a member of the US Lacrosse Long Island Chapter Hall of Fame (’00), and was recognized as a nominee for 2013 ESPY Coach of the Year.
Prior to Duke, Danowski spent 21 years as Hofstra University’s head men’s lacrosse coach, amassing a record of 192-38 while leading the Pride to eight NCAA tournament appearances and four quarterfinal berths. He began his head-coaching career with a three-year stint at Long Island University-CW Post (1983-85). Danowski received a master’s degree from LIU-C.W. Post (’78) and a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University (’76).
“We are extremely excited to announce John Danowski as head coach of the 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team,” said Tony Leko, US Lacrosse director of national teams. “His superb resume speaks for itself, and his leadership, character and integrity are unquestionable. We look forward to the impression he will make on our U.S. National Team program in the years to come.”
Danowski will make his debut as U.S. men’s national team head coach at the Team USA Spring Premiere, Jan. 9-10 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where the U.S. will face defending NCAA champion University of Denver in an exhibition game. Tryouts for the 2018 U.S. men’s national team will be held in summer 2017. Danowski will present a session at the 2016 US Lacrosse Convention, Jan. 22-24 in Baltimore, Md.
US Lacrosse and Danowski now begin the process of identifying assistant coaches and support staff for the 2018 U.S. men’s national team. The staff will include three assistant coaches, a team manager, assistant team manager, equipment manager and videographer. Applications are now available at uslacrosse.org/usmen with a deadline of Thursday, Dec. 3. Staff selections will be announced on Friday, Dec. 18.
The U.S. men’s national team has amassed a 59-4 all-time record in international play, claiming gold at nine World Championships (1967, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010).
The world champion U.S. men’s national team trains and plays using best-in-class products provided by Nike (apparel and footwear), STX (equipment), and Cascade (helmets). Nationwide and Marriott International are official sponsors of Team USA. For more information on the U.S. Men’s National Team, visit uslacrosse.org/teamusa. Follow the team on social media @USLacrosse and use #USAMLAX on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vine and Snapchat.
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