June 20, 2009|By Edward Lee | Edward Lee,edward.lee@baltsun.com
Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse coach Dave Pietramala has signed a two-year contact extension that will him with the Blue Jays through the 2015 season. Terms of the deal were not announced.
Pietramala is coming off his ninth season as coach of the Blue Jays and has compiled a 106-30 (.779) record during his tenure. He guided Hopkins to NCAA Division I national championships in 2005 and 2007 and runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2008. The Blue Jays have qualified for the NCAA tournament every year under Pietramala.
"We are fortunate to have the finest men's lacrosse coach in the nation leading our program," athletic director Tom Calder told the school's Web site. "Dave Pietramala's coaching resume speaks for itself, but the success our players have had in the classroom and their extensive involvement in community service initiatives is something that we also take great pride in. The manner in which Dave and his players represent Johns Hopkins is exemplary, and we look forward to many more years with Dave leading our program."
Pietramala passed Henry Ciccarone (105) on Hopkins' all-time coaching wins list this season and ranks second behind Hall of Famer Bob Scott (158). He holds a 129-47 (.733) overall head coaching record, which includes three seasons at Cornell before his hiring at Hopkins in June 2000.
Pietramala, a three-time first-team All-American as a player at Hopkins, is the only person in college lacrosse history to win a Division I national championship as a player (1987) and head coach.
"There is no question in my mind that he's the best coach in the country, if you consider everything," former Hopkins midfielder Kyle Harrison, a three-time All-American, said earlier this year. "When you consider the pressure he's under, the academics, the schedule, what he's accomplished is exceptional."
Hopkins finished the 2009 season with a 10-5 record, losing to Virginia, 19-8, in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals.
"The dedication our administration has shown to the men's lacrosse program during my tenure is remarkable," Pietramala was quoted as saying. "Our coaches and players recognize the privilege it is to represent Johns Hopkins University and we take that privilege very seriously. It has been exciting to coach so many fine young men, and we look forward to working with another outstanding group during the 2010 season."
