June 10, 2013 – BOSTON, MA – The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse today announced John Tucker as the team’s new head coach. Tucker was hired as an assistant coach prior to the 2013 season and will take over in place of Steve Duffy as head coach for the remaining eight games of the season.
“Our on-field performance so far this season has not been in line with the standard our fans have come to expect,” said Cannons General Manager Kevin Barney, “and a change was necessary to get back on track. This was not an easy decision; Coach Duffy has been a valued and respected member of our coaching staff for five years, and we know he will continue to find success in lacrosse.”
“At this point, we believe John’s extensive Major League Lacrosse coaching experience and outstanding achievements as a player provide the best fit to lead this team to success,” added Cannons founding owner Matt Dwyer.
Tucker served as head coach for the Los Angeles Riptide from 2006-2008, earning MLL Coach of the Year honors in 2007 for a Western Conference-best 9-3 season and a championship game appearance. He coached the Bayhawks during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
In the indoor National Lacrosse League, Tucker coached the Baltimore Thunder from 1997 to 1999 and the Pittsburgh CrosseFire for their one year of existence in 2000. Additionally, he has led high school teams to a total of eight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championships: four with the Severn School in Annapolis, three with the Gilman School in Baltimore, and one with Loyola Blakefield in Towson.
As a collegiate player, Tucker helped lead the undefeated Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays team that won the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship in 1984. In international competition, Tucker played for Team USA, winning three gold medals at the World Lacrosse Championships in 1986, 1990, and 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.
“I am grateful for, yet humbled by, this opportunity to work with such an exceptional organization,” Tucker said. “Coach Duffy laid an outstanding foundation and I hope to build on past success. We have some hard work ahead of us yet there is an exciting vision in Boston and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
With one win and five losses, the Cannons are off to their worst start since 2002, when they began 1-6. The Cannons have made at least the semi-finals in all but two of the past 12 seasons (2007 & 2008), winning their first MLL championship in 2011.
About the Boston Cannons
The Boston Cannons are one of the founding franchises of Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league. They began play in June of 2001 and currently host home games at Harvard Stadium in Allston. They won their first MLL Championship in 2011. All season tickets, individual game tickets and special group offers are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 617.746.9933 or visit www.BostonCannons.com.
