Aug. 15, 2008

from press releases

BOSTON - Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional lacrosse league, announced Thursday that Philadelphia Barrage Coach Tony Resch has been selected as the 2008 Brine Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year, according to Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on votes submitted by the general managers and head coaches of the ten MLL teams.

Resch becomes the second coach in MLL history to be named as the Coach of the Year twice. Scott Hiller earned the award in 2002 and 2005 when he was the head coach of the Boston Cannons.

Resch completed his fourth season as the Barrage's coach and led the two-time defending MLL champions to a 7-5 record and their third straight NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend appearance. The Barrage will face the top-seeded and Eastern Conference champion Rochester Rattlers on Saturday, August 23 at Harvard Stadium in the first semi-final at 12 p.m., which will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

It is the second time in the last three years that Resch has been honored as the League's Coach of the Year. He earned the award in 2006 after leading the Barrage to the MLL title. He has a 30-18 regular season record in four seasons with the Barrage and has a perfect 4-0 postseason mark.

Resch earned nine first place votes and tallied 51 points while New Jersey Pride Coach Peter Jacobs finished second in the voting by receiving 39 points, including five first-place votes. Denver Outlaws Coach Brian Reese finished third in the voting with 26 points, including four first-place votes.

All-Time MLL Coaches of the Year
2001 John DeTomasso, Long Island
2002 Scott Hiller, Boston
2003 Ted Georgalas, New Jersey
2004 Sal LoCascio, Philadelphia
2005 Scott Hiller, Boston
2006 Tony Resch, Philadelphia
2007 John Tucker, Los Angeles
2008 Tony Resch, Philadelphia