John Desko - Men's Lacrosse Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

John Desko

Title:
Head Coach
Phone:
4390

In his first 10 years as head men’s lacrosse coach at Syracuse University, John Desko has blazed a trail of excellence that speaks for itself and distinguishes him as one of the most-respected coaches in the nation and the world. Throughout his tenure, he has maintained the winning tradition that is Orange lacrosse. Since replacing Hall of Fame coach Roy Simmons Jr. in 1999, Desko has kept the Orange in the hunt for an NCAA title each and every year and he has brought home the national championship trophy four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2008).

In the process, Desko established a successful leadership style recognized by many in the lacrosse world. His legacy of achievement led to his selection as the USILA Division I Coach of the Year in 2008 and his being named the head coach of the 2006 U.S. National Team that competed at the ILF World Championship. They are just two of many honors bestowed upon Desko during his sparkling career.

Throughout his tenure, Desko has coached some of the greatest players ever to don a lacrosse jersey and he has left an indelible mark on the history of the game.

2008: A SEASON TO REMEMBER
Desko engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds the sport has ever seen in 2008. After going 5-8 and missing the postseason in 2007, he led the Orange to its record 10th NCAA crown and a 16-2 overall record. The title was Desko’s fourth since taking over the program in 1999, putting him in exclusive company as one of only three Division I head coaches to win at least four NCAA titles. In addition, the Orange tied the NCAA record for the best one-year win-loss improvement (+8.5), and its 16 victories matched the school record.

Desko’s squad was second in the nation in scoring offense (13.61) and posted the program’s lowest goals-against average since 1970 (7.62). During the regular-season, the Orange reeled off 10 straight wins and went undefeated at the Carrier Dome (9-0). The winning streak was SU’s longest under Desko and represented the program’s most consecutive victories since 1995.

Syracuse finished the regular season 12-2 and secured the third seed in the NCAA Tournament. Building on its regular-season success, the team rolled to four straight wins in the postseason, including a 13-10 victory against Johns Hopkins in the title game. On its way to the crown, Syracuse defeated three consecutive top five opponents and bested second-seeded Virginia, 12-11, in double overtime in one of the most memorable semifinal games in tournament history.

In addition to his fourth championship, Desko capped the year by winning the F. Morris Touchstone Award as the USILA Division I Coach of the Year for the first time. He joins Simmons Jr. as the only two Orange mentors to earn the honor.

SETTING THE STANDARD
Desko owns the second-best winning percentage (.747) of any active NCAA Division I coach with at least five years of experience and he holds the best winning percentage in the NCAA Championship of any coach in the history of college lacrosse (.821).

He’s achieved those marks by recruiting and developing some of the best lacrosse players in the world. Since he accepted the head coaching reins, Syracuse has had 35 players earn a total of 63 All-America nods, including four-time honorees Mike Powell, Mike Springer and Mike Leveille. Two of his charges (Mike Powell in 2002 and 2004 and Mike Leveille in 2008) went on to win the Tewaaraton Trophy as the nation’s best player.

He’s also done it against stiff competition as the Orange consistently plays one of the nation’s most difficult schedules. Since he took over in 1999, Syracuse is 43-25 against top 10 teams, including a 5-1 record in 2008.

Desko’s leadership and longevity have been crucial to establishing the dynasty that is SU lacrosse. The Orange advanced to the national semifinals each season for 22 straight years between 1983 and 2004. It was as much a reflection upon Desko as anyone, considering he was the one person directly associated with the team for all 22 seasons. During the first 16 years of the Final Four streak, he served as an assistant coach (he spent 19 seasons as an assistant at SU overall) and then led the team to the Final Four in each of his first six years as head coach.

SUCCESS LEADS TO OPPORTUNITY
Desko’s coaching success has led him to additional opportunities outside Syracuse, including his appointment as U.S. National Team coach for the 2006 World Games where he led the squad to the silver medal. In addition, Desko served as a coach for the North in the annual North-South Senior All-Star Game at the University of Delaware in 2000. He is also a leader in the sport’s administration. Desko served as a member of the NCAA Lacrosse Committee, a group that oversees and regulates rules, championships and other issues pertinent to the sport, from 1999-2003.

THE HEIR APPARENT
When Roy Simmons Jr. retired in 1998, Desko was the perfect choice to continue the Orange’s championship tradition. He spent 19 seasons as Simmons’ top assistant during a time when SU won six national championships and appeared in 16 consecutive Final Fours.

Prior to becoming Simmons’ top lieutenant in 1980, Desko was a player for him from 1976-79. Upon his arrival on campus, Desko helped SU achieve its first winning season (7-4) since 1971. As a sophomore in 1977, Desko and the Orange went 8-6 and scored a then school-record 238 goals. SU’s fastest midfielder his first two seasons, Desko switched to defense as a junior and the Orange continued its winning ways. SU went 10-3 in 1978, and with Desko leading the way, held opponents to 104 goals, the lowest total in eight years.

With just two seasons of experience on defense, Desko earned All-America honors in 1979 as he helped SU to a 10-5 record and the school’s first NCAA playoff berth. He served as team captain as a junior and senior, and the Orange’s record improved in each of his four years on the squad.

After his playing career ended, Desko joined Simmons’ staff and helped build one of the premier programs in collegiate lacrosse. In his 19 seasons as an assistant, the Orange compiled a record of 229-43 (.842), was invited to the NCAA Tournament 18 times, reached the Final Four 16 consecutive times and won six national championships. Desko coordinated recruiting and served as co-director of the popular Syracuse University Lacrosse Camp, held each summer on campus. He recruited some of the best lacrosse players to ever play the game, including two-time National Player of the Year and Outstanding Midfielder of the Year Gary Gait, two-time Outstanding Attackman of the Year Tim Nelson, four-time All-American Brad Kotz, three-time All-American Paul Gait, and the Powell brothers, the school’s top three all-time leading scorers (Mike, Casey and Ryan).

SYRACUSE THROUGH AND THROUGH
Desko attended lacrosse-hotbed West Genesee High School in Syracuse, where he also excelled in football and basketball. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Syracuse University.

In the fall of 1997, Desko was inducted into the Upstate New York chapter of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame for his service to local lacrosse. Desko received another local sports honor in 2008 when he was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Drumlins Country Club.

Desko’s two younger brothers, Dave and Jeff, were also All-American lacrosse players at Syracuse, and his son, Tim, is the latest member of the family to join the program. Tim is an attackman and also takes faceoffs for the Orange.

John, his wife, Cindy, their sons, Tim and Ryan, and daughters, Nicole and Casey, all live in Syracuse.