Brian Holman Named Cannons LC Head Coach

Brian Holman, the former Utah men’s lacrosse coach and longtime North Carolina assistant, was named the head coach of Cannons LC on Monday morning. On Sunday evening, TLN — a PLL-owned media property — first reported the hiring.

A three-time All-American at Johns Hopkins, where he won a national championship in 1980 and finished as the NCAA runner-up each of the next three seasons, Holman replaces Sean Quirk, who stepped away from the team in December citing a recent heart surgery. Quirk helped oversee the team’s transition into the league after winning the 2020 Major League Lacrosse championship. The Cannons finished last season 1-9.

“Coach Holman’s decades of coaching and playing experience have earned him the respect of players and coaches across the country,” Paul Rabil, co-founder and president of the PLL, said in a league announcement. “Building the Cannons Lacrosse Club back to prominence is Coach Holman’s mission, and I look forward to seeing him bring that same passion and success he brought to UNC, Hopkins and Utah to the PLL.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Cannons Lacrosse Club. After coaching at every level for the past 30-plus years, it’s a dream come true to coach and compete at the highest level of our sport,” Holman said. “Thank you to Seth Tierney, Rachael DeCecco, Andrew Manning, Mike Rabil, Paul Rabil and the players for choosing me. I cannot wait to get together with our team and compete for a PLL championship. Go Cannons!” 

And, naturally, the speculation has already started about whether or not Marcus Holman will join his father with the Cannons. A free agent on March 6, the sharpshooter and perennial PLL All-Star will have the ability to choose his next team. As will Will Manny — Holman’s “bunk bed bro” — and Adam Ghitelman, both former Utah assistants.