The man some consider the John Wooden of college lacrosse is coming to the University of Denver. The Pioneers on Monday hired Hall of Fame coach Bill Tierney to be its new men’s coach, DU athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes said.
Tierney, who will leave the same job at Princeton, replaces former Pioneers coach Jamie Munro, who resigned May 7 after 11 seasons. Munro left after a a tumultuous season in which three players were kicked off the team midyear.
In 22 seasons with Princeton, Tierney led the Tigers to six NCAA championships, eight title-game appearances, 10 semifinals and 14 Ivy League championships.
“He is a tremendous addition to our coaching family and someone who will elevate our program into a national contender,” Bradley-Doppes said. “Bill is one of the best coaches of any sport at any level and is highly regarded in collegiate lacrosse.”
Tierney has a 272-93 career record (.745 winning percentage), including time as coach at Rochester Tech. He will begin his new post July 1.
Tierney, a two-time national coach of the year, also coached the United States team to a world championship in 1998 and was inducted into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2002.
Tierney’s son, Trevor, is an assistant coach for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse and a former professional goaltender.
