Smith will Serve as Defensive Coordinator for the Team
NEW YORK, June 26, 2019 – The New York Riptide announced today the hiring of Joe Smith as an Assistant Coach for the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team. Smith, who will serve as Defensive Coordinator, is a former professional lacrosse player with the NLL and Major League Lacrosse (MLL), with nearly 10 years experience as a defensive coaching specialist at the high school and collegiate levels. He joins Head Coach and General Manager Regy Thorpe’s growing staff for the Riptide, which also includes: Lance Basler, Assistant General Manager and Director of Lacrosse Operations; Brian Hobart, Director of Scouting; and Jake Henhawk, Director of Player Development.
The NLL awarded the New York franchise to live events and sports media entertainment company GF Sports in December 2018. The Riptide will play home games at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum when it begins play in December for the 2019-20 NLL season.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Joe join our Riptide family, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization,” said Thorpe. “Joe is a relentless worker and team first guy that will fit perfectly with the culture we want to create on and off the floor in New York. There’s no one I would rather be in the trenches with as we look to build our team, fanbase and community involvement.”
Smith currently works alongside Thorpe as an Assistant Coach and member of the Player Selection Committee for Team USA Indoor Men’s Lacrosse, a position he has held since 2017. He also serves as Director of Lacrosse Operations for Canisius College men’s lacrosse. He was previously an Assistant Coach for the team, helping guide them to the 2018 MAAC Championship. A defensive force in his playing days, Smith was twice named to Team USA Indoor, played nine seasons with the MLL Rochester Rattlers winning a championship in 2008, and six seasons in the NLL, including championships with the Rochester Knighthawks (2007) and Buffalo Bandits (2008). Thorpe and Smith were teammates on the Knighthawks NLL championship winning team in 2007, and Thorpe was the Assistant Coach for the Rattlers when they won the 2008 MLL championship.
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