DENVER – The University of Denver men’s lacrosse program has named former Marquette defensive coordinator John Orsen an assistant coach, DU head coach Bill Tierney announced on Friday. Orsen replaces four-year coach Dylan Sheridan, who took the first-assistant job at Princeton earlier this month.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming John Orsen and his wife, Leigh Ann, to our DU Lacrosse family,” Tierney said. “John brings a wealth of lacrosse experience to Denver, both as a player and a coach. He was a great player at Hofstra, an NLL All-Star, and an MLL Champion, providing him with a keen knowledge of how to; compete at the highest level, strive to be the best and be a great teammate. John was instrumental in assisting Coach Joe Amplo in getting the Marquette program off the ground, and helped lead them to the Big East Tournament in only their second year of existence.”
Orsen was a member of Marquette’s inaugural staff, helping officially start the Golden Eagles’ program in 2013. The Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., native was hired in May of 2011 to assist Marquette head man Joe Amplo in starting the program. In their first campaign, Marquette went 5-8, and Orsen coached the Golden Eagles’ defense to a No. 18 national mark in ground ball margin.
“I have been so impressed with the great things people have said about John,” Tierney said. “His former coaches, employers and professional peers all comment on his positive nature and tireless work ethic. He will continue to do what Dylan Sheridan did for us, by having a strong say in what we do defensively, coaching our corps of face-off men, continuing to help us recruit young men of character and talent and developing game-day strategies. John will join Matt Brown and Trevor Tierney to make up a coaching staff of which I am most proud, and one that will continue to lead the University of Denver closer to our goal of a national championship.”
In 2014, Marquette went 6-10, including 4-2 in the BIG EAST, earning a conference tournament semifinal appearance. Orsen’s defense played a key role in the Golden Eagles’ four BIG EAST wins a year ago, including holding Georgetown to one goal in the final 23:36 of regulation, giving the offense the opportunity to turn a 9-3 second half deficit into an 11-10 victory.
“I want to thank Joe Amplo, everyone on the Marquette staff and Marquette University for the opportunity to create a winning culture and begin to build a program,” Orsen said. “Obviously this opportunity at Denver is surreal. To coach under both Bill Tierney and Matt Brown is an outstanding opportunity for me in my coaching career. I love the city of Denver, and the program has continued to be a national championship contender, and that’s what I want to get to. I look forward to the opportunity to help this program in any way I can.”
As a player, Orsen transitioned from attack to defense while at Hofstra, earning a spot on the USILA All-America Honorable Mention squad in his final collegiate campaign. In that 2006 season, Orsen and the Pride reached the NCAA Quarterfinals after a 14-8 win over Providence in the first round. Orsen captained his club in both his junior and senior seasons, leading the team to a 17-2 mark in 2006, and earning First Team All-CAA honors.
Professionally, Orsen was picked in the fourth round in the MLL Draft by the Long Island Lizards. Later in his MLL career, Orsen played for and won the league championship with the Chesapeake Bayhawks in 2012. Orsen was also selected by the New York Titans of the NLL for the indoor season. In addition, Orsen suited up for Team USA in 2011 at the FIL World Indoor Championships in Prague, and played for the Colorado Mammoth from 2011-13.
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