John Tucker (lacrosse)

John Tucker
 Lacrosse player 
Position Forward
Former NCAA team Johns Hopkins University
Former NLL teams Philadelphia Wings
MLL Team Boston Cannons
Coaching career Washington Bayhawks (MLL) 2009 to Present
Los Angeles Riptide (MLL) 2006 to 2008
Columbus Landsharks (NLL) 2000
Baltimore Thunder (NLL) 1997 to 1999
Nationality US
Pro career 19871991
NLL Hall of Fame, 2010

John Tucker is the current head coach of the Atlanta Blaze of the MLL, a retired American professional lacrosse player, and the former head coach of the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.

Playing career

Tucker began his playing career in eighth grade, joining the junior league team at Archbishop Curley High School under Coach Joe D'Adamo. He was a freshman and sophomore on the team during the school's 1976 and 1977 championship seasons, and he graduated from Curley in 1979. As a collegiate player, Tucker was a member on a number of winning teams. He played on the undefeated Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays team that won the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1984.[1] In international competition Tucker played for Team USA in winning three gold medals at the World Lacrosse Championships in 1986, 1990, 1994. Tucker captained the 1990 and 1994 teams. In addition, Tucker won two championships with the Philadelphia Wings of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League in 1989 and 1990.[2] Tucker played at the amateur level for the storied Mount Washington Lacrosse Club.[3]

Coaching career

As a coach, he has led a number of teams to championships, including a total of eight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championships: four with the Severn School in Annapolis, Maryland, three with the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland and one with Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Maryland.[2]

In the National Lacrosse League, Tucker coached the Baltimore Thunder from 1997 to 1999. He also was the coach of the Pittsburgh CrosseFire for their one year of existence in 2000.

Tucker served as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Riptide of Major League Lacrosse from 2006 to 2008 compiling a 22-14 record. Following the 2007 MLL season he was awarded the Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award.[4] Tucker signed a two year deal to coach the Washington Bayhawks beginning in 2009.

In addition, he is an assistant women's lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins University.[5]

In October 2009, Tucker was named as an assistant coach with his original NLL team from the 1980s, the Wings. After a dismal 2010 campaign under head coach Dave Huntley, when the Wings had their worst ever record (5-11), the team fired the coaching staff, eventually hiring Tucker back as the head coach. However, in his one season, the Wings lost 7 out of their last 8 games, to finish at 5-11, tied with Huntley for their worst ever record. In June 2011, Tucker stepped down to assume a scouting position within the Wings organization. [6]

In 2011, Tucker came full circle and accepted the head coach position of his alma mater, Archbishop Curley High School. Assisting him on defense is his own former coach, Joe D'Adamo. Now he is head coach and admissions director at Baltimore Lutheran School.

Statistics

Major Indoor Lacrosse League career

    Regular Season   Playoffs
GP G A Pts LB PIM GP G A Pts LB PIM
1987 -- -- 14 26 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1988 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1989 -- 11 24 35 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1990 -- 13 10 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1991 -- 10 10 20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Totals 47 78 96 174 207 64 6 8 16 24 26 15

See also

Notes and references

  1. DaSilva, Matt (November 1, 2005). "Tucker to Coach Los Angeles". LaxMagazine.com. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  2. 1 2 "John Tucker Riptide Coaches Bio". LARiptide.com. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  3. Mike Preston, Mount Wash., Perry Hall build on traditions CLUB LACROSSE, Baltimore Sun, June 15, 1991, retrieved May 26, 2010.
  4. "John Tucker Named 2007 Brine Coach of the Year". MajorLeagueLacrosse.com. August 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  5. "John Tucker JHU Coaches Bio". HopkinsSports.cstv.com. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  6. "PHILADELPHIA WINGS GENERAL MANAGER JOHNNY MOURADIAN TO ASSUME HEAD COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES". WingsLAX.com. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
Preceded by
Tony Resch
Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award
2007
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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