Legendary lacrosse Coach John Desko has announced his retirement from Syracuse University after 46 years
SYRACUSE, NY. (BVM)- After 46 historic years as both a player and a coach with the Syracuse men鈥檚 lacrosse program, John Desko (63) has announced his retirement via a social media post on the team鈥檚 Twitter and Instagram.聽
One of the men who made Syracuse lacrosse into Syracuse lacrosse.
A remarkable career.
— Syracuse Men鈥檚 Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX)
Desko came to Syracuse in the fall of 1975 where he would eventually receive All-American honors as a defenseman for the Orange. Upon graduation, he would immediately join the coaching staff under legendary Coach Roy Simmons Jr. as an assistant. Then in 1999, the announcement of Simmons Jr.鈥檚 retirement meant that Desko would finally take the helm of the storied program.聽
As a head coach, Desko amassed a career record of 265-92 garnering five NCAA Division I titles, adding to the six he had as an assistant. Desko was also named a two-time NCAA Coach of the Year and a five-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year. In the spring of 2020, Desko was enshrined in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.聽
The decision for Desko to retire was met with little confusion as the 2021 season proved to be the nail in the coffin for his time at Syracuse. The Orange had another disappointing 7-6 season and after a first round 18-6 playoff loss to the Georgetown Hoyas, fans everywhere reacted poorly.
In addition to a disappointing season, Desko was under fire for an off-the-field decision after starting attackman Chase Scanlan was involved in what police called a 鈥渄omestic incident鈥� after a home loss to North Carolina in April. Desko suspended Scanlan for what he called 鈥渁 violation of team rules and expectations鈥� and rumors spread as no context was given. Scanlan was reinstated a week later.
After returning to practice, Desko announced that Scanlan was practicing alone with an assistant coach away from the team. News then broke that the five captains of the team threatened to not practice if Scanlan was reinstated. The five captains also met with Syracuse Athletic Director John Wildhack, who cited federal privacy laws in declining to comment.
Though the end of Desko鈥檚 career may not reflect the success of his career as a whole, the lacrosse community made sure his legacy would be honored as past fans, players, and commentators erupted in praise on social media.聽
Coach Desko has impacted so many people and we want to hear from you.
Share your favorite memories of Coach with the hashtag so we can celebrate his Hall of Fame career.
— Syracuse Men鈥檚 Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX)
It was announced that former Syracuse lacrosse legend and Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Gait would be taking over for Desko. Accompanying Gait is a Hall of Fame head coach in David Pietramala who won two NCAA titles at Johns Hopkins University.聽
