June 16, 2008

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray announced Monday that head men's lacrosse coach James Simpson has resigned his position, effective immediately. Simpson had guided the Red Foxes' men's lacrosse program for the last three years.

In Simpson's three seasons, Marist compiled a 15-31 overall record and a 12-12 mark in league play. This past season, Marist posted a 3-13 overall record, with a 3-5 mark in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Lacrosse League play, as the Red Foxes won three of their last four contests. In 2008, Marist led the nation in face-off percentage and led the MAAC with nine selections to the All-Academic Team.

Simpson led the Red Foxes to an appearance in the 2006 MAAC Tournament, where they fell in an overtime contest to top-seeded Providence in a semifinal contest. Marist concluded that season 6-9 overall and 4-4 in the MAAC. In 2007, Marist was 6-9 overall and tied for second in the MAAC with a 5-3 league record, but did not appear in the conference tournament due to a tiebreaker.

In Simpson's three seasons, Marist totaled seven All-MAAC selections, 18 MAAC All-Academic honorees and a Co-MAAC Rookie of the Year.

A national search for Simpson's successor will begin immediately.