Dave Cottle, coach of the 2019 MLL champion Chesapeake Bayhawks, announced Thursday that he will step down as coach of the team, according to an official release. Tom Mariano will be elevated from assistant coach and will lead the team in 2020.
Mariano was the league’s coach of the year in 2017 for his work with the Florida Launch, leading the team to its first playoff berth. Mariano, who has coached lacrosse for 26 years, is also the head men’s lacrosse coach at Pace.
“I am extremely grateful and honored to be following in the footsteps of Dave Cottle,” Mariano said in the release. “The Bayhawks have an unwavering tradition of success, and I look forward to working with our guys to keep that tradition going in 2020. We are committed to being the best version of ourselves.”
Cottle joined Chesapeake in 2010 and won four MLL championships (2010, 2012, 2013, 2019) with the organization. He was the head coach from 2012-15 and then again from 2018-19. He has also served as general manager.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of the Bayhawks organization,” Cottle said in the release. “I am grateful to the many players, fans and to the league for the dedication and support over the past 10 years. I look forward to returning to Navy Marine Corps Stadium in 2020 as a fan and watching Tom lead the Bayhawks to their seventh MLL championship.”
Chesapeake opens its 20th season on May 30. This is the latest in a wave of movement following the league’s announcement to move to a single-entity operation earlier this week.