University of Massachusets Athletics
Burns Named Head Coach At Bellarmine
August 16, 2011 | Men's Lacrosse
Aug. 16, 2011
AMHERST, Mass. - Bellarmine University Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt announced the hiring of Kevin Burns as the head lacrosse coach on Tuesday. Burns, who played collegiate lacrosse at Loyola, was an assistant coach at UMass under Greg Cannella for the last five years, including a 27-17 combined record over the last three seasons as well as a conference title and NCAA berth in 2009.
Bellarmine University, located in Louisville, Ky., is a Division I lacrosse institution and member of the ECAC, while being Division II in all other sports.
"I'm excited to be the new head men's lacrosse coach at Bellarmine University," Burns said. "It is clear that the leadership at Bellarmine has both high expectations and great vision for the direction the lacrosse team will take in the years ahead, and I appreciate the support that they have for this program and cannot wait to help shape the future of lacrosse not just at Bellarmine, but the entire region as well."
Burns just completed his fifth season as an assistant coach under Cannella at UMass, working primarily on the defensive side of the ball and helped lead the Minutemen's recruiting.
"I think Kevin will be a great head coach," said Cannella. "He's been an assistant coach for eight years now, and I think he's more than ready (for a head coaching position). He's done a great job here the last five years running our defense and recruiting. I'm excited for Bellarmine. I knew Jack McGetrick, and I think Kevin will carry on the legacy that Jack left."
McGetrick, Bellarmine's founding lacrosse coach died last fall after a long bout with cancer, and Bellarmine assistant coach Bart Sullivan stepped in as a head coach on an interim basis.
"I'm very pleased that Kevin will be coming on board with Bellarmine," Bellarmine AD Wiegandt said. "He has boundless energy and has served and played under some of the best coaches in the game. I'm confident that Kevin will move Bellarmine lacrosse in the right direction."
As he prepares to join the Bellarmine community, however, Burns first gave credit to many of the people who helped him get to this position in life. "I'd like to thank Jake Coon and Doc Schneider for working with me over the past five years," he said. "They have both been huge influences in shaping me into the coach I am today. I'd especially like to thank Greg Cannella for both his friendship and leadership over the last five years," Burns continued. "His mentoring has been instrumental in preparing me for the next step in my professional career. Coach Cannella's former players always talk about how much he has changed their lives, I can say with all certainty that the same holds true for his assistants as well. I know that I would not have this opportunity if not for his guidance."
