The Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) have announced today that former University of Maryland men’s lacrosse head coach and current Bayhawks’ President Dave Cottle has been named the next head coach according to owner Brendan Kelly. The announcement was made during a press conference call held on January 5, 2012.
As a renowned collegiate coach, Cottle joined the Bayhawks as a consultant in July of 2010 after Kelly took over as head coach. Cottle’s expertise in scouting and evaluating talent proved to be an asset to the team and helped bring the Bayhawks out of a 5 game losing streak and win a 2010 MLL Championship. Named president of the Bayhawks in January of 2011, Cottle brought a fresh perspective on leading the organization to new heights through prominent sponsorships and increased season ticket sales. In April of 2011, Cottle again increase his role with the organization as an assistant coach for the 2011 season. With his involvement, the Bayhawks boasted a record of 6-6 and saw a playoff berth in 2011.
“I am happy to announce Dave Cottle as the next head coach of the Chesapeake Bayhawks,” Kelly said. “We are truly blessed to have such a legend of the game lead us into the next chapter. Dave represents the passion and love for the game that made it easy for me to turn the reigns over to him. I look forward to hoisting the Steinfeld Trophy with him as our leader.”
A Salisbury University graduate, Cottle spent 19 years coaching at Loyola College, leading the men’s lacrosse team to 181 wins and 14 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. In 2001 Cottle was named the men’s lacrosse head coach at the University of Maryland where he remained through the 2010 season. During that time, the Terrapins saw 99 victories and 8 consecutive NCAA playoff appearances. Cottle ranks among the top of NCAA Division 1 all time winningest coaches, and over his 28 year career he boasted a seventy-one percent win rate.
“When I started working for Brendan Kelly, I was truly impressed with his leadership, work-ethic, and his ability to develop relationships with the people around him,” Cottle proclaimed. “A year later, that respect for him has continued to grow. When he asked me if I was interested in taking over, it was a no-brainer because of the people we have in our organization and on our team. Last year, I was impressed with the quality of men we had in our locker room and their drive to win. Nothing would be more meaningful to me than to watch the Bayhawks hoist the Steinfeld Trophy in the air in 2012.”
The Bayhawks look to utilize Cottle to bring new energy and strategy to the 2012 MLL season. Bayhawks 2012 season tickets can be purchased online at www.thebayhawks.comor over the phone by calling the box office 866-99-HAWKS (42957). Reserve your seat today and don’t miss out on seeing the Chesapeake Bayhawks battle at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this summer.