Very classy, John Tillman
You can see why former Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow hired John Tillman to replace a legend, Dave Cottle, as lacrosse coach of the Terps.
Tillman has not only led Maryland to its first Final Four since 2006, he has done it with professionalism and class, and that was fully on display after the Terps' 6-5 overtime win over No. 1 Syracuse in the NCAA quarterfinals.
In an interview on ESPN2 after the game, Tillman tipped his cap to Cottle and the previous coaching staff for helping put the Terps in this position. Not many coaches would remember after one of the biggest wins of their life to give a nod to the previous regime.
That says a lot about Tillman. Not only can he clearly coach, he's a class act, too.
Comments
Congrats to coach both on and off the field. I cheering for a double dip with the men's and woman's title in the same year.
Posted by: bill | May 22, 2011 5:30 PM
I agree with you about Tillman's comments being classy. By what measure, however, are you elevating Dave Cottle to "legend" status? Gary Williams may have earned that distinction at Maryland (and there are some who would argue that), but Cottle certainly did not achieve anything worthy of being called a legend.
Posted by: Ray | May 22, 2011 5:45 PM
After all the trashing that Debbie Yow's received over the years in this space, I think we can all agree that her last two decisions, to leave for NC State and to hire Coach Tillman were the right ones.
GO TERPS!
Posted by: cabterp | May 22, 2011 6:49 PM
I don't think that Yow had much to do with the hiring of Tillman, she was basically out the door by that point. She probably played a role in deciding to replace Cottle. One of Cottle's biggest supporters is a former Salisbury alum and Terp booster, Steve Bisciotti, and Yow had to contend with him one way or another. Also, Tillman was about 4th or 5th on the list after a number of candidates declined the offer. But I agree that Tillman seems engergized and organized. Go Terps!
Posted by: terps2009 | May 22, 2011 11:49 PM
@Ray: You have to remember that Fritz is from Cleveland and doesn't know anything about Maryland or sports, which makes his qualifications to comment on Maryland sports lacking.
Posted by: easywriter01 | May 23, 2011 1:41 AM
I agree with Ray. Cottle wasn't any legend. In fact that hire was one of Yow's many questionable moves at Maryland. Enough negativity, Tillman is a great guy and a marvelous coach. Yesterday's game was one of the biggest in the program's history.
Posted by: bags | May 23, 2011 7:09 AM
LOL. Legend? Legend of underachieving or choking maybe. Please change that sentence.
Dave -- Hall of Fame coach qualifies as a legend to me. Thanks.
Ron
Posted by: Dave | May 23, 2011 7:21 AM
In addition to his recognition of both coaches , Tillman said how much the people of Maryland wanted this victory. That should have been in it article too. ....it's so true
Posted by: ken wolf | May 23, 2011 7:38 AM
I am hearing rumors that Petro is headed to Ann Arbor to be Michigan's 1st varsity lacrosse coach...maybe Ron Fritz can help us out and get confirmation from Petro as to whether he will be at Homewood next season.
Posted by: Rhonda | May 23, 2011 3:45 PM
A legend as a player at Salisbury, perhaps ... but you need to clarify that sentence. Cottle is/was no legend by any stretch of the imagination as a coach.
Posted by: Scrapple | May 23, 2011 7:02 PM
An isolated classy remark does not make a guy classy.
Posted by: Liam | May 24, 2011 9:08 AM
I agree with 'ken wolf', it was great to hear that the state of Maryland and it's great tradition was a motivating factor for the Terps. Wonderful for the whole state to be able to feel like a part of something, whether you went to Maryland or not. Go Terps!
Posted by: psychesville | May 24, 2011 12:51 PM
I grew up with Tillman and I couldn't have been more proud to call him friend after that game and that interview! He has always been a very thoughtful guy and puts everyone else 1st! FEAR THE TURTLE!!
Posted by: CB Mayer | May 27, 2011 11:46 AM
i went to school with david cottle; i'm an alum of loyola and umcp. i currently teach at maryland, and was heartbroken when dave cottle was forced to resign. i'm thrilled with what coach tillman has accomplished, and have nothing but respect for both coaches for their efforts in bringing these Terps to the fore. as always, i'm proud to say "Fear The Turtle".
Posted by: Michelle McElvany Hugue | May 29, 2011 3:14 PM