June 16, 2010
Tillman leaves Harvard for Maryland
by PR Wire Report/
John Tillman has resigned as the Harvard men's lacrosse coach to accept the head coaching position at Maryland, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.
“I would like to thank Bob Scalise for giving me the opportunity to coach at Harvard the last three seasons,” Tillman said. “I enjoyed working with the student-athletes here and will look back fondly on my time in Cambridge.”
Tillman, who guided Harvard to a 20-19 overall record in three seasons, helped guide the Crimson to several marquee victories, including a win at Duke in 2009. In addition, Tillman coached Harvard to an 8-5 overall mark and 3-3 Ivy League record in 2009, marking the most wins for team since the 2002 season. Under Tillman's tutelage, the Crimson climbed to as high as No. 11 in the national polls in each of the last two seasons and welcomed the nation's third-ranked recruiting class last fall.
“We thank Coach Tillman for the wonderful job he did developing our players and our program and leaving us in position for continued success,” said Scalise, Harvard’s Director of Athletics. “The effect of Coach Tillman's time in Cambridge will be long-lasting and we will always consider him a true friend of Harvard men's lacrosse. We will find a replacement to build from the momentum created by Coach Tillman's tenure.”
Harvard has reached the NCAA tournament five times, most recently in 2006, and has won three Ivy League titles in program history. The Crimson will return 35 players next season, including two All-Ivy League selections.
A national search for a successor is already underway.
Tillman signed a seven-year contract with Maryland.
"It is a great honor to take over the Maryland men's lacrosse program," said Tillman. "Maryland is a premier university with a rich history of success in lacrosse. I'd like to thank (Maryland Director of Athletics Deborah A.Yow) and the search committee for extending the wonderful opportunity to be Maryland's head coach. It will be the goal of our staff to be the kind of lacrosse program, the kind of lacrosse team that you can be proud of, that will complement the tradition that this institution has been so proud of through the years. What makes this lacrosse program special is its importance to the school and the State of Maryland. The tradition here is phenomenal. I am looking forward to this challenge.”
"We are delighted that Coach Tillman will become our leader of Maryland men's lacrosse," said Yow. "Senior Associate AD Michael Lipitz chaired this successful search. He and his committee identified Coach Tillman early and worked diligently to secure him for the Terps. John is a man of integrity and a tireless worker who has the ability to attract the very best student-athletes to College Park. He has a 'can do' attitude that is contagious. We look forward to this exciting new era in Maryland lacrosse."
