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Bill Tierney attempts to change Denver lacrosse landscape
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New University of Denver Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Bill Tierney speaks with reporters about his
new post. Tierney spent 22 years at Princeton before taking the position at DU, replacing the
departed Jamie Munro, bringing his six National Championships with him.
Bill Tierney’s defection from Princeton to the wide-open, wild west has prompted some to think of this as a coup by DU; stealing one of the most revered coaches in the game today from an elite east coast program. This may be true in some respects — Tierney did describe the reaction by the administrators at Princeton as “shock” — but this is the natural progression of a sport on the rise. Tierney’s decision to head the DU program is one that will change the lacrosse landscape in this country.
Bill Tierney has won 6 National Championships, 14 Ivy League Championships, and 75% of his games as Princeton Head Coach. When he landed there 22 years ago, he essentially built the program from Ivy bottom feeder to contender to perennial powerhouse and the premier franchise in college lacrosse. He will attempt to do the same with Denver’s program although he has more to work with this time around. When asked what has changed since he took over Princeton, Tierney credited the rising popularity of the game as a blessing.
“Biggest difference is there is more to choose from. High school lacrosse is producing 5,000 more graduates a year than it was even eight years ago,” he said. “We have more choice so when you make your choices you have to base it upon quality of individual, quality of person.”
Tierney will have a tougher road on that front in Denver than in Princeton. He inherits a team with sufficient talent, but with a history of undisciplined and unruly players. Last year’s squad was plagued by in-team turmoil between the players and Head Coach Jamie Munro, which resulted in his resignation and left in doubt the current roster. Tierney addressed this problem, saying he planned on instilling some core values in his new team, on and off the field.
“They are going to be good people, good students, and they are going to care about each other,” he said. “The kids are going to have to get on board or drown. Peg [Bradley-Doppes] has given me carte-blanch to clean house if I have to. I’ve spoken to most of the kids and don’t think we have to do that, but some will be on a shorter leash than others.”
But Tierney was also quick to praise the job done by former coach Munro and his assistants with recruiting, saying the talent level of the team was strong and that a possible championship was in the not so distant future.
“I don’t think it is that far. We’re talking about a team with a lot of talent here. The difference between the teams that win the national championship and the teams that make the tournament is depth.”
Tierney emphasized his, and his players’, role in the Denver lacrosse community, saying his players were going to be visible and working for the sport. This attitude will do wonders for the game in the West.
“My goal was three-pronged: it was personal, it was DU lacrosse, and it was lacrosse in general. I was able to resolve those all in my own head,” Tierney said. “Personally it was easy…The DU part was about making the program just a little bit better, we want to win a national championship here. The lacrosse part of it is a phenomenal aspect of this move. My job is to help bring the community in, I want little kids all over this place because that is what is going to grow the game.”
Tierney has burdened himself with the overall expansion of the Division I game into the west by taking this job. The good news is he is the right man for the job. His reputation, disciplined coaching style, and established winning tradition will do wonders for DU and the sport’s growth. If he can change the traditional Western attitude and make Denver an outpost for lacrosse’s expansion we may see an even more rapid national exposure. His willingness to get his players out into the community and create enthusiasm is something that has been lacking in the region. To be able to build from the ground up is the key factor for a growing sport. If kids see they can play in Denver and have a local school, within reach and respected in D-I, they can shoot for the culture will change and the local talent level will skyrocket. Hopefully the rest of the lacrosse community will see this as a catalyst and work hard to get more programs into the ranks of Division I.
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