Corcoran named lax coach

In an effort to stop a string of five consecutive losing seasons, Penn athletic director Steve Bilsky named Terrance A. Corcoran as new lacrosse coach July 29. The announcement ended a seven-week search to replace G.W. Mix, who resigned June 14. Mix went 20-33 in four seasons at Penn. During his senior year at Hobart in 1978, Corcoran was the nation's leading scorer en route to being named the USILA's Division II-III Attackman of the Year and a first-team All-American. He helped the Statesmen win consecutive national championships during his sophomore and junior years, when he was also given All-America status. In 1992, Hobart College inducted Corcoran into its Hall of Fame. After working as an assistant for his father and mentor Joe Corcoran at Corning High School in upstate New York, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach. "I learned the importance of sound fundamentals from my father," Corcoran said. "Fundamentals are something I don't believe can be emphasized enough." After leaving his father and Corning, Corcoran served brief stints with Hobart and then Princeton as an assistant coach. Finally, in 1983, Corcoran took over the head job at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., where he compiled a 127-56 record. Corcoran led the Shoremen to 10 NCAA Division III playoff appearances and four title games in 12 years at the helm. The USILA named Corcoran the Division III Coach of the year in 1985. In 1990, Corcoran was an assistant coach on the USA National Team which traveled to Australia and won the World Championship. "We wanted someone that had a proven record as a head coach -- someone that won," Bilsky said. "Beyond that we wanted a person who was a true teacher of the sport -- somebody who understood the science of the game and could communicate the X's and O's. "Finally, we needed a coach who was capable of recruiting and selling the merits of this institution to the finest scholar-athletes in the country. Terry satisfied all the criteria." Corcoran was the only one of nine people interviewed that Bilsky called back for a second meeting. One reason for this was Bilsky's appreciation of Corcoran's record as an educator. He has developed 52 All-Americans and one Division III Player of the Year. Eight of Corcoran's pupils now play professionally in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. Corcoran's Quakers squad will have to compete against an extremely strong Ivy League that features the defending national champion Princeton Tigers. Penn was a dismal 1-5 last season. "The initial goal is obviously to win an Ivy League title," Corcoran said. "I'm very excited to come to Penn and become a part of such a tremendous lacrosse tradition."