WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Duke Men's Lacrosse Coach in Negotiations for Extension

May 22, 2007

Durham, N.C. — Duke men's lacrosse coach John Danowski is negotiating with the school to remain as coach after his one-year deal ends, he told WRAL on Tuesday.

Danowski, the father of senior All-American Matt Danowski, said he is negotiating with the university's athletic department to remain as coach. He said  he does not expect a deal to be finalized before the conclusion of the team's season. Duke (15-2) plays Cornell (14-0) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the national semifinals in Baltimore. The national championship game is Monday.

Danowski was brought in after a highly successful run at Hofstra to resurrect the Blue Devils program, whose 2006 season was canceled after rape allegations stemming from a party involving players. He was given a one-year deal and the chance to coach his son, Matt, a Blue Devils senior. He has lived in an apartment while his wife remained in New York.

But Danowski, 53, indicated Tuesday he would like to remain. He said his wife recently resigned her job up North.

Danowski was hired on July 21, 2006, taking over a team still dealing with the much-publicized criminal investigation.