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Two Former W&L Coaches Lead MLL Teams

Two former Washington and Lee lacrosse coaches have recently taken over head coaching duties in Major League Lacrosse.

Jim Stagnitta, who coached the Generals from 1990 to 2001 before leaving for Rutgers, is now leading the Denver Outlaws. Jim becomes the fifth head coach in the history of the Outlaws, who finished in a tie for second place last year and lost in the semifinals. Prior to joining the Outlaws earlier this month, Jim had coached Rutgers for 12 seasons. He was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading Rutgers to the largest turnaround in college lacrosse. As a college coach, Jim compiled an overall record of 194-124 (.610 percentage) and led his teams to seven NCAA Tournament berths and two Final Fours. His W&L record was 136-42 (.764 percentage).

Mike Cerino, who succeeded Jim as W&L’s head coach in 2002, is the first head coach of the new Charlotte Hounds. Mike had been vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Limestone College in South Carolina before being hired by the Hounds. He is Limestone’s all-time wins leader, with a record of 128-66, and was the first coach in the school’s history. In five seasons at W&L, Mike’s teams won 53 and lost 24 and advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals in 2002. He was ODAC Coach of the Year twice and received the Jim “Ace” Adams National Sportsmanship Award three times.

Major League Lacrosse is an eight-team league, with Charlotte and Ohio the newest members.