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COMEAU NAMED NLL KNIGHTHAWKS NEW HEAD COACH

July 25, 2005

ROCHESTER NY - McMaster Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Ed Comeau has been named the new Head Coach of the National Lacrosse League's Rochester Knighthawks.

The Knighthawks went through the obligatory process of searching for a new head coach, but in the end they really didn't need to look farther than their own bench. In a move that was widely expected, the Knighthawks tabbed Ed Comeau - who served as an assistant under former coach Paul Day the past two years - to succeed Day, who resigned at the end of the 2005 season. The announcement was made at halftime of Saturday night's Rochester Rattlers game at Bishop Kearney Field.

"Eddie is the best when it comes to the X's and O's," said Knighthawks general manager Jody Gage. "He's been an assistant coach and he's earned the opportunity. "We knew what we were getting with Eddie, and we believe he's a top coach, especially when it comes to the logistics of the game."

Comeau becomes the team's third head coach since its inception in 1995. Barry Powless coached the first three years and led the Knighthawks to their lone championship in 1997. Day was in charge the past eight years and led Rochester to the National Lacrosse League playoffs every season of his tenure.

"I've had opportunities in the past to pursue head coaching positions and I've waited on one that I thought would be a good opportunity, and Rochester obviously is a great team and great organization so I thought it was the right time to take the step," said Comeau, who resides with his wife and two sons in Hamilton, Ont.

Comeau has had chances to start anew with expansion teams, but "then you're starting from scratch," he said. "I like the fact that this is an existing and stable team and also the fact that I know the guys."

Outside of the professional ranks, Comeau has coached at various levels of lacrosse over the past two decades. He has served as the head coach of his alma mater, McMaster, for the past 15 years and was named the Ontario University Coach of the Year in 1998.

In addition, he has coached the Brampton Excelsiors and the Burlington Chiefs Junior "A" teams in the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Further, he was the assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2002 World Field Championships, the 2002 Heritage Cup and the 2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. In 2004, he was as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the Heritage Cup. Comeau will be an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2006 World Field Lacrosse Championships in London, Ontario.