Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/25/11
From Press Releases
Philadelphia Wings General Manager Johnny Mouradian will now add the role of Head Coach to his duties for the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team, it was announced today.
“I am relocating to my new home in Philadelphia and am very excited to live in the market and work closely with the ownership group in a variety of areas, including in my new role as head coach,” Mouradian said. “The coaching staff we have assembled, coupled with a great group of returning players eager to learn, and the first pick in the entry draft are all very favorable conditions for our franchise.”
Last season was Mouradian’s first as the Wings General Manager, having previously served as President, General Manager, and then an Advisor to the 2010 World Champion Team, the Washington Stealth. Among his other front office roles throughout his NLL career, Mouradian served as the General Manager/Head Coach, General Manager/Assistant Coach and Managing Director of the Stealth in San Jose from 2003 to 2008. Mouradian has won nine Professional World Indoor Championships in various roles as an executive, GM and shareholder (Buffalo in 1992, 1993 and 1996; and Toronto in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005, and Washington in 2010).
Mouradian will replace last season’s Head Coach John Tucker, who will be retained by the Wings as the director of U.S. collegiate scouting. Tucker served as the Philadelphia Wings Head Coach during the 2011 season, after working as the team’s Offensive Coordinator for the 2010 season.
Additionally, the Wings have announced that Tom Slate (Springfield-Delco grad, former Downingtown East coach) is resigning from his position as Defensive Coordinator. Currently the Head Coach of Major League Lacrosse’s Denver Outlaws, Slate said he is unable to make the necessary time commitment to serve as the Wings’ Defensive Coordinator. Slate was a key defender on the Wings’ 2001 Championship Team.
“At this point in my professional career, with my young family, and my commitment with the Denver Outlaws, I feel that this is best decision for the Wings organization and my family,” said Slate. “I am very thankful to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Wings organization and will continue to support the team in the future.”
Blane Harrison, who served as the Wings Offensive Coordinator last season, will be replacing Slate as Defensive Coordinator for the 2012 season. “Blane’s expertise is defense and that was his main role in New York and Orlando,” said Mouradian. “We have a lot of respect for Blane’s knowledge, teaching ability and how he thinks about the game.”
Additionally, Mouradian has added Jimmy Milligan from Peterborough, ON, to his staff as the team’s Offensive Coordinator.
“With Jim Milligan joining our staff, we gain an offensive coach with a lot of experience in Canadian Box Lacrosse,” Mouradian said. “‘Milly’ has won four Mann Cups with the Peterborough Lakers and is currently the head coach for the Team Ontario Midget Team. He will also provide us with knowledge of the landscape of Canadian players and is very thorough with video, advanced game scouting and game preparation.”
“The ownership group conducted numerous interviews with many candidates and relied on input from Bob Allan, the team’s Director of Player Development,” said Mike French, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of the Wings. “In the end with Johnny’s relocation to Philadelphia, his strong long-term relationships with Blane and Bob and the proven track record that Jim possesses from his experiences in the NLL and Peterborough Lakers, the decision became easy for the ownership group.”
