June 16, 2011
Rutgers announced Brian Brecht as its new lacrosse coach today, marking the end of the most successful coaching tenure in Siena lacrosse history. Brecht helped establish Siena lacrosse as a national player in his seven years in Loudonville, finishing his tenure with five consecutive double-digit win seasons, capped off by this spring's program-record 13-win campaign, which culminated with an NCAA appearance and top-20 national ranking.
"The Siena community is happy for Brian," director of athletics John D'Argenio said. "He built our program into a top-20 team and has earned this opportunity. We are committed to find the right person to continue the great work Brian has done at Siena, from on the field success to recruiting to alumni relations. The passion that Brain brought, and his interaction with our alumni, helped us grow the program in terms of facilities and scholarships. "
D'Argenio indicated a national search for his replacement will begin right away.
"Coach Brecht took a program from the bottom and moved it into a Top-20 Division I program," said rising senior captain Tom Morr. "He did so much for the program both on and off the field, and always knew what was in our best interest and how to make us a better team which, was shown by the results we had on the field. He did a great job here and I wish him luck with the future, and congratulate him on this new opportunity."
Brecht led the Saints to two MAAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, '11), and four MAAC Regular Season Championships (2007, '09, '10, '11). A three-time MAAC Coach of the Year (2005, '07, '09), he sported a 65-49 (.570) overall record, including an impressive 37-17 (.685) mark in MAAC competition.
Brecht ushered in a new era in Siena Men's Lacrosse the last five years. The Saints won four MAAC regular season titles, and two MAAC Championships over this span, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first two times in program history in 2009 and 2011. Siena posted a gaudy 57-28 (.671) overall record the last five years, marking the sixth highest win total in the nation, behind only Duke, Virginia, Syracuse, Cornell and Notre Dame. In MAAC regular-season games, Siena went 32-6 (.842), winning 20 straight at one point from 2009-2011. Four of the six 10-plus win seasons since the program's inception in 1964, came in the last four years.
The 2011 season was especially memorable. The Saints set a program record with 13 wins, and finished the year ranked No. 20 in both the USILA Coaches' Poll and Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll for the first time in program history. At one point Siena won six in a row, and the team steamrolled through Jacksonville and Detroit in the MAAC Championships, outscoring them 30-11 on its way to a second conference title in three seasons. Siena advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it lost 10-4 to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome in the First Round for the second time in three years.
Under Brecht's direction, the Saints had four USILA All-American Honorable Mentions selections over the past five seasons, three North/South All-Stars, the MAAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, and two Rookies of the Year.
