Cornell's national coaching search localized in Ithaca: After a year of having "Interim" scribbled on the door of the Red's head lacrosse coach office, Matt Kerwick has officially assumed umitigated control of Cornell's lacrosse program:
Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, has announced that Matt Kerwick has been named the Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men's Lacrosse at Cornell University. Kerwick, who served in the position on an interim basis during the 2014 season, becomes the 11th head coach in the programs' 122-year history.
"I am excited that Matt Kerwick has accepted our offer to become the Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men's Lacrosse," said Noel. "His performance over the past two years has been exemplary and I could not be more pleased that he has the opportunity to continue the progress he has made with our program. I am keenly aware that Matt has the enthusiastic support of our team, staff, administration and our loyal alumni. Like them, I am most excited for the future of the program with Coach Kerwick at the helm."
"It is truly an honor to be named the Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men's Lacrosse at Cornell," said Kerwick. "To have an opportunity to coach at one of the most prestigious universities in the world with one the country's most storied lacrosse traditions is what I've always aspired to do. I'm thankful to Andy Noel and Vice President Susan Murphy for their trust and confidence. I look forward to coaching the tremendous group of student-athletes and working with the alumni that make up the Cornell Lacrosse family for many years to come."
Kerwick -- on an interim head coaching basis -- guided Cornell to the NCAA Tournament in 2014 after Ben DeLuca was dismissed from the Red after a tumultuous period that saw the program suspended from fall competition. Prior to serving as Cornell's interim navigator, Kerwick served as the Red's offensive coordinator, spent time at Georgetown as an associate head coach under Dave Urick, and guided Jacksonville and Hobart as each program's head coach.
As Inside Lacrosse notes, Kerwick's hiring may slow the shape of the offseason's cavalcade of head coaching changes. As of today, Detroit remains the only Division I program with a head coaching vacancy (although Chris Kolon has adopted an interim head coach role with the program).