The search for the replacement of former women’s lacrosse coach Cindy Timchal ended Tuesday when the Terrapins announced Cathy Nelson Reese will be the new head coach and Jen Adams will be associate head coach.
The two, both former standout Terp players, left their positions at the University of Denver to replace Timchal, who left the Terps just over two weeks ago to become the first-ever varsity women’s lacrosse coach at the Naval Academy.
Both Reese and Adams were players and coaches under Timchal. When they were a part of Timchal’s team, the Terps were amidst a run that included seven straight national championships and three undefeated seasons.
Associate athletics director Rardy Eaton, who is also the women’s lacrosse supervisor, said he hopes the two will bring the Terps back to the national championship status.
“We hope they will reinvigorate the program and take us back to where we were when they played here,” Eaton said.
At Denver, Reese and Adams coached the Pioneers to their most successful season last year, but the coaches – outside of their time with the Terps – have not coached in an NCAA tournament game.
As players, Reese and Adams rank among the best players of their time. Adams is the all-time NCAA leader in points and Reese is 10th all-time in points on the Terps.
Reese is the third women’s lacrosse coach of all time, and with Adams has high expectations to live up to as their two predecessors compiled winning percentages of more than 75 percent each.
Eaton confirmed that Reese will keep current Terp assistant coach Brian McGurn on her coaching staff.
Contact reporter Bryan Mann at bmanndbk@gmail.com.
