Syracuse Orange: Why Regy Thorpe is a strong hire as SU's women's lacrosse head coach

On Friday, Syracuse University announced that Regy Thorpe will become the head coach of the women’s lacrosse team. Regy is a Syracuse alumnus who previously coached under Gary Gait when he was the head coach before taking a position at the University of Florida.

Regy’s resume is extensive in the sport, from playing it himself including on the 93 Syracuse championship team. He also played at the professional level and is in several hall of fames.

His coaching resume includes 10 years coaching under Coach Gait and the past four seasons at Florida, with both teams ending up in multiple championship games. He’s also coached at the professional level and even once served as coach of the US Lacrosse Indoor Box Lacrosse World Team and once as coach for the Iroquois Men’s National Team.

Syracuse women's lacrosse has a new head coach in SU alum Regy Thorpe.

Now that I stated his resume, let me tell you other reasons this was a great hire. When Kayla Treanor left for Penn State recently, most people had 3-5 names they thought should be considered, myself included. My first two were current Army women’s head coach and former Orange great Michelle Tumolo and Regy.

Both have great resumes and know what it’s like to be part of the Syracuse program and university. If either of those two names were announced, I’d have been equally excited so needless to say I am hearing this news.

Also, I’ve been a huge fan of the man Regy Thorpe for years now. He conducts himself with professionalism and also has the best interest of the players in mind at every corner of thought. Regy is that guy if my daughter was a recruit, I’d not only be okay agreeing with her going there but I’d help convince her why he’s the guy to play for.

I could sit up here and hype that resume up much like I did earlier even more but I’m not here for that. I gave you the resume I did to show you that he’s qualified for those unaware. But I also wanted to write this to congratulate Regy, his family and the university for making a very good hire.

I also think it’s important to point out that Regy isn’t just an alumnus of Syracuse University and a former player and coach. Coach Thorpe also knows how things work at the university, the necessary work that is needed and the expectations as well.

I expect he will walk in, embrace the alumni family, tell current players why staying at Syracuse will pay off and convince quality recruits/transfers to come play for him. I trust in him wholeheartedly and I for one am excited to see how he does now that he has the full reins as head coach.

Coach Gait did great when he was in charge and Coach Treanor was a very impressive coach as well. I don’t think it’s fair to put expectations on him to compare to them but I do think he knows the expectations others have of him and he took this job confident he could meet those goals.

And I am not only excited to see how he does but throw my full support behind this decision and happy to see him back on the Cuse sidelines where he belongs.