This is part of a continuing series counting down the top Philly lacrosse stories of 2009
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/2/10
It was like a game of dominos.
It started when legendary Princeton coach Bill Tierney shocked the lacrosse world late in the spring by announcing he was leaving the Ivy League Tigers power to take the head coaching job at Denver.
The move by one of the most decorated and respected coaches in NCAA lacrosse history sparked a chain reaction of coaching changes in Philadelphia. The first big move occurred soon after when Drexel coach and Philadelphia native Chris Bates accepted the position as Tierney’s successor.
After Bates left his spot, Penn coach Brian Voelker was named to replace Bates. That left another Ivy League opening, which was soon filled by Haverford College mentor and former Penn assistant Mike Murphy.
Finally, Murphy’s departure opened the door for Haverford College assistant Colin Bathory to be promoted to the head job.
But the coaching carousel did not stop there. Murphy brought in Haverford College assistant and Philly pro goaltending great Brian Dougherty (Episcopal Academy) to be one of his two assistants. Dougherty later was named as the starter for the US National team. Murphy also brought in Philadelphia Wing John Christmas (Lower Merion) as a volunteer assistant.
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