Tambroni out; and so the Maryland lacrosse search continues

Today's Maryland lacrosse search news: Cornell's Jeff Tambroni turned down the chance to interview, according to Brian Delaney of the Ithaca Journal.

Hopefully, no one following or connected with Maryland is surprised by this development.

Because they shouldn't be.

Tambroni is 109-40 in 10 seasons at Cornell, including at least a share of eight straight Ivy League titles and appearances in three of the last four semifinals. He played at West Genesee High School and later graduated from Hobart. He's about as much of a central New York guy as there will ever be.

There's no knocking Maryland for at least approaching him. Tambroni is the best coach out there without a national title to his name. He wrested control of the Ivy League away from Bill Tierney in the Aughts, a feat no one should diminish. His lot in life is every bit as good (and quite possibly better) in Ithaca than it would be in College Park.

And this is where things swing back to Maryland.

Last week, Inside Lacrosse reported both Syracuse women's coach Gary Gait and Bryant (and former Duke) coach Mike Pressler withdrew from consideration. Now Tambroni, who was seconds away from a national title last year and is highly favored by his current school, is out.

In short, Maryland probably isn't going to reel in a big name to replaces Dave Cottle, who was ousted May 23 after nine seasons.

This has a chance to be an meaningful and sobering moment for folks who believe Maryland should be the epicenter of the lacrosse world. It is a good job. But between dilapidated facilities, so-so salaries for coaches and a place in a league in which those two factors (among other issues) aren't problems anywhere else, it isn't going to be a dream gig for coaches who find themselves in comfortable situations.

It doesn't mean Maryland can't find a good coach, or that it can't go to the final four every so often, or that a national title is an impossibility. But it does mean those competitive benchmarks are more difficult to attain than some fans would like to fathom.

Nothing demonstrates better how coaches view the validity of such expectations than whether they're willing to take them on or simply let someone else deal with a potential headache.

There is a clear bar set at Maryland, and there's no blaming coaches from enjoying life where they are rather than gamble on seeing how things are at a new place. There's a difference, after all, in embracing a challenge and embracing a standard in which the expectation is to rate in the 93rd percentile of your peer group (there were 60 Division I teams this season).

Someone will eventually take this job, in large part because it isn't a black hole. Maryland has eight straight NCAA appearances, eight straight 10-win seasons and a whole bunch of talent coming back next season.

In the long term, the Terps have never had a losing season. More recently, Maryland has nine quarterfinal appearances since 2000 --- more than anyone in that span other than Johns Hopkins (10).

But that someone who does come to Maryland might be a coach with a limited track record in charge of a program. Maybe Brown's Lars Tiffany, who is 56-33 with an NCAA tournament appearance in six seasons. Or Harvard's John Tillman, who wrapped up his third season and is 20-19. Perhaps even Ben DeLuca, Tambroni's top assistant who has helped author the Cornell renaissance of the last decade.

(Please note: Those are not actual current candidates, but all three are more-than-competent coaches who would have a chance to thrive on a larger stage. The list isn't limited to them, either).

With Tambroni predictably bowing out, reality will soon set in and Maryland will start targeting candidates whose careers would receive substantial upgrades by jumping to College Park.

One thing, though, should already be clear to Maryland and its fans: It's a lot easier to get rid of a coach than to find a new one.

Comments

[Stormy]

UMD Lacrosse = Virginia Basketball (albeit on a different scale)?

The folks in College Park need to recalibrate their search and find their Tony Bennett like UVA did when the Tubby Smith dream was thankfully buried.

[D1scourse]

Stormy ---

I would say Maryland lacrosse is a better gig for its sport than Virginia basketball is for its --- and the results of the last 15 years provide much more hope for Terps lax than Hoos hoops.

But I do agree there is something to be said for bringing in a smart guy who might not necessarily know the local lay of the land but is certain of his way of doing things.

Getting turned down could become a good thing, assuming Marylands administration can accurately size up lacrosse coaching ability. Sometimes, a good coach is better than a recognizable name.

[Nat]

Maryland seems to have done what too many university athletic departments often do... allow "the perfect to be the enemy of the good." Firing a coach for not being #1, but in the process losing a great educator and mentor. In this case, a coach with all qualifications to win an NCAA title. I wonder if there is a "story behind the story.."

[D1scourse]

Nat ---

I dont think theres any crazy subplot involved here other than some expectations that are simply not completely in tune with reality.

The odd thing (to me, anyway) is just how polarizing Marylands decision was.

For vocal Maryland fans, it was met with complete support, since they believed Cottle wouldnt win a national title. That may well be true --- theres 28 years of evidence that says he hasnt --- but theres got to be more than one successful team every year.

For fans elsewhere and among coaches, there was a definite what are they thinking? vibe. And thats starting to play out. Its highly unlikely Maryland will find a coach as accomplished  as Cottle.