Another One Down: Chapman’s Wood Fired
by Jac Coyne |
Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff | Coyne
Archive | Twitter
For the second time in as many years, a head coach at a marquee
Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) program has been
fired.
Mike Wood, who guided the Chapman program to appearances in the
MCLA title game in 2008 and 2009 along with a semifinal berth this
spring, was informed his contract would not be renewed in a brief
meeting with athletic director David Currey on Monday morning.
Wood follows in the footsteps of Jason Lamb, the long-time coach of
Brigham Young with national championships to his credit, who was
terminated at this time last spring.
“I did my job and I did it well,” said Wood on
Thursday. “We won a lot of games. I’m going to miss the
players and 99 percent of the people at Chapman.”
Because his email was disabled shortly after his firing, Wood was
forced to have one of his assistant coaches forward the message to
his team about his dismissal.
"I am very disappointed in the decision, and very sorry that this
is taking place through email, but at this point I want each of you
to know that my heart was in the right place and the friendships
that I have made within the Chapman community are very important to
me," wrote Wood in his email to the players and parents. "For the
parents that sent your sons off to play for me, I am sorry that I
won't be there as I promised, but rest assured Chapman University
is an outstanding place and they will have an excellent experience
pursuing their dreams there."
Wood, who was also the linebackers coach for the Chapman football
team, guided the lacrosse program to the top of the MCLA.
In his first season in 2008, Wood helped the Panthers start the
season with an 18-0 record, including wins over 10 Top 20 programs
with the only loss coming in the national championship game in
Texas Stadium to Michigan, 14-11. The following spring, the
Panthers posted a 16-3 mark and another trip to the national
championship – this time in Denver – where Michigan
again prevailed, 12-11.
This past spring, Chapman finished 16-3 again. For the third time
in as many years, the three-time champion Wolverines bounced the
Panthers in the tournament, this time in the semifinals.
In his brief stint at Chapman, Wood posted an overall record of
55-8, and an MCLA mark of 50-7.
Wood attributes his firing to his often contentious relationship
with Currey, who hired the former Pomona women’s lacrosse and
football coach in 2007.
Currey did not return phone calls for this story.
Wood was able to experience one last high note before being
terminated when Connor Martin, a senior on the team this spring,
was selected in the 2010 Major League Lacrosse draft.
“That was a real thrill,” said Wood. “Eight hours
later, I was fired.”
