had some success as a women's coach but never won the title. They were runners-up three times in his 13 seasons in-charge and are usually in the NCAA tournament. I know he's a legend as a player but do coaches usually cross-over from coaching women's lax to men's?
love the move. One thing the Gait's have done throughout their time in the game is to think differently and to revolutionize certain aspect of it. I hope that can translate to taking the men's team to the next level.
He's gone from playing on the men's side to being a very good coach for the women's team.
Good luck to him. I don't think it will lead to big difference in terms of winning championships. The game is much bigger with many more outstanding colleges playing.
It may help some with recruits in Canada where Syracuse had a bit of a monopoly. Now other schools recruit heavy in that region (Univ. of Denver being one). So many more outstanding players coming out which has led to a lot of parity which is great for the game.
Probably the greatest player ever and coaching experience but the women's game is not close to the men's game. While I wouldn't question his knowledge, it seems unlikely that he will make a seamless transition. His staff will be critical.
Probably the greatest player ever and coaching experience but the women's game is not close to the men's game. While I wouldn't question his knowledge, it seems unlikely that he will make a seamless transition. His staff will be critical.
women’s game is very different. I think that was the hard part for Gates. Men’s game should come naturally too him.
A buddy of mine from HS played Lax at Syracuse with the Gaits bros. They were top of the heap every year at that time, NCAA titles in 88 and 89 I think when he played there. Amazing teams, and fun to watch.
Desko landed the # recruit in the country in Joey Spallina (attack) from Mt Sinai on Long Island. Had 37 goals, 66 assists this year. Mt. Sinai is the top ranked team in D2 in Suffolk County.
being a men's LAX power again. If you are a LAX player, do you want to go down south to the mid-Atlantic states...where there is better weather and a ton of top notch programs as rivals? Or do you want to go to upstate NY and be stuck inside for half of the school year and get snow dumped on you? Teenagers these days have no idea who the Gaits brothers are anymore. In fact, college players haven't known about them for a decade probably.
What makes it even tougher for Cuse, is that the degrees from the colleges in Mid-Atlantic are pretty much all better too. Guys aren't making a living in LAX after college. So choosing a school on the degree you get is that much more important. Cuse is a solid school. But it isn't Duke, UVA, UNC, Johns Hopkins, or Georgetown. And it is even only on par at best with Maryland and Richmond. Loyola Maryland is the only Mid-Atlantic LAX power I would put Cuse above in terms of a degree.
Desko landed the # recruit in the country in Joey Spallina (attack) from Mt Sinai on Long Island. Had 37 goals, 66 assists this year. Mt. Sinai is the top ranked team in D2 in Suffolk County.
My brother-in-law is good friends with his dad, also named Joe, who is the HC of Stony Brook University's women's team. They taught at the same HS before Spallina went on to full-time coaching gigs.
still has the best broadcasting program in the country. For an athlete, that's a pretty big draw if you want to go into that field.
SU has had the players to make a run for the past few years, but Desko has not coached well enough, and has been outcoached way too often. Asking them to get back to their heyday is probably too much, but they should be able to do what other ACC teams are doing with players of a similar pedigree and skill level.
There is still a strong presence of the traditional areas known for lacrosse (LI, MD, UNY) but no where near what rosters were in 1990 and before. Colleges have so much talent through the U.S. to recruit from. I am surprised Michigan has not taken a bigger step yet.
Kinda weird that SU publicized Gait's new position before they let Desko announce his retirement. Desko did win multiple championships there... maybe the Chase Scanlan debacle was cause enough.
I'm more curious w/ who Gait will tag for his DC and AC. That could be pretty exciting. Pietramala goes to Syracuse?? Geez...that would be odd but excellent for lacrosse. (Even Joe Montana wore a Chiefs jersey...)
SU will always be the Yankees / Canadiens of NCAA Lacrosse. They will always be relevant and always be in the running for top recruits - especially now, with Lacrosse Jesus at the helm. Only thing is, current 15, 16, 17 yr-olds don't know Gary Gait outside of YouTube.
And, I could see a few talented 5th-yr transfers say "why not" to play for Gary Gait.
Writing was on the wall. Gait was the obvious hire.
Cuse is back.
I agree that is a stunner. They just made it to the championship and lost. And not only that, he’s been coaching women’s lax for 20 plus years.
He's gone from playing on the men's side to being a very good coach for the women's team.
It may help some with recruits in Canada where Syracuse had a bit of a monopoly. Now other schools recruit heavy in that region (Univ. of Denver being one). So many more outstanding players coming out which has led to a lot of parity which is great for the game.
What makes it even tougher for Cuse, is that the degrees from the colleges in Mid-Atlantic are pretty much all better too. Guys aren't making a living in LAX after college. So choosing a school on the degree you get is that much more important. Cuse is a solid school. But it isn't Duke, UVA, UNC, Johns Hopkins, or Georgetown. And it is even only on par at best with Maryland and Richmond. Loyola Maryland is the only Mid-Atlantic LAX power I would put Cuse above in terms of a degree.
My brother-in-law is good friends with his dad, also named Joe, who is the HC of Stony Brook University's women's team. They taught at the same HS before Spallina went on to full-time coaching gigs.
SU has had the players to make a run for the past few years, but Desko has not coached well enough, and has been outcoached way too often. Asking them to get back to their heyday is probably too much, but they should be able to do what other ACC teams are doing with players of a similar pedigree and skill level.
I'm more curious w/ who Gait will tag for his DC and AC. That could be pretty exciting. Pietramala goes to Syracuse?? Geez...that would be odd but excellent for lacrosse. (Even Joe Montana wore a Chiefs jersey...)
SU will always be the Yankees / Canadiens of NCAA Lacrosse. They will always be relevant and always be in the running for top recruits - especially now, with Lacrosse Jesus at the helm. Only thing is, current 15, 16, 17 yr-olds don't know Gary Gait outside of YouTube.
And, I could see a few talented 5th-yr transfers say "why not" to play for Gary Gait.