Legendary University of Denver lacrosse coach Bill Tierney is calling it a career.
The longtime coach announced Thursday that the upcoming season will be his last with the Pioneers, with Tierney revealing plans to retire after his 14th season leading the DU program and 49th in coaching overall.
“They say, ‘When you know, you know,’ and as my career draws to a close, I’m at peace with this decision,” Tierney said in a release from DU athletics. “The list of people to thank who have impacted the last 48 years of my life is endless. Most of all, I want to thank my wife Helen, who has stood by my side and followed me to two high schools and four college stops through my career, and has been the rock for me and our children. Our family is all over the country now, and I’m looking forward to having the time to give back to them after all they’ve given for me.”
Tierney has compiled a 429-147 record over 41 seasons as a college coach (157-54 at DU), with 30 NCAA Tournament bids, 25 trips to the NCAA quarterfinals, nine championship game appearances and a record seven national titles. That includes one national championship won at DU in 2015 and all five of the program’s Final Four trips.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Bill Tierney over the last six months, and I look forward to partnering with him this season as we work to further his impressive legacy and that of DU Men’s Lacrosse,” DU athletic director Josh Berlo said in a release. “Coach T has had an exceptionally positive and profound impact not only on DU, but also the sport of men’s lacrosse and the thousands of young men that he served as a mentor to. On behalf of the entire University, we are thankful for all that Coach Tierney has given to DU. He leaves Pioneer Men’s Lacrosse with a rock-solid foundation and a continued bright future.”
Tierney’s final season will start in February with a home match against Utah on Feb. 4 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. He will be going for his 11th NCAA Tournament bid with the Pios.
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