Former Major League Lacrosse player Joe Cummings has been named as the new head coach for the league's Charlotte Hounds franchise. Cummings takes over from Jim Stagnitta, who led the Hounds for two seasons before being named of the head coaches for the new Premier Lacrosse League.

"Joe is a rising star in the coaching world with a tremendous vision for building a winning lacrosse culture,” general manager Mike Cerino said. "It’s exciting for me to help a former Hound star continue towards our goal of a MLL title for Charlotte."

Cummings, a graduate of the University of Maryland, is the head coach at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, S.C.

"After being in the Carolinas for the last six years, for me to have the opportunity to join a first-class organization in the Hound, to help grow the lacrosse through the organization, I'm really excited for the opportunity," Cummings said. "I think lacrosse is at a really exciting time in its history. The college game is going toward the shot clock and the professional game has been dynamic this year, so to have an opportunity to serve, develop young players and build a team that will pursue excellence is exciting."

Cummings was a two-time All-American at Maryland, earning third team honors in 2011 and honorable mention honors in 2012 when he helped the Terps reach the national championship game.

"Joe is one of the greatest human beings I've ever been around," said former Maryland coach and current Chesapeake Bayhawks head coach Dave Cottle, who recruited Cummings to College Park. "He's an outstanding player, great teammate, and he'll make an excellent head coach. Joe is of class, he's all in and he's a tremendous leader. Congrats to the Charlotte Hounds."

Cummings was the No. 17 overall selection in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft and played two seasons with the Ohio Machine before being traded to Charlotte for the 2014 season. He scored 35 goals in three MLL seasons before retiring in 2015 to begin his coaching career at Christ Church.