Navy hires Amplo as new men’s lax coach

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Navy Midshipmen have hired Joe Amplo as the school’s new men’s lacrosse coach. He replaces the departed Rick Sowell, who was fired in May.

Amplo comes to Annapolis, Maryland after previously being the Marquette University men’s lacrosse head coach.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named the next head coach at the United States Naval Academy,” Amplo said. “Having the opportunity to help develop the next group of our nation’s leaders is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I look forward to embracing everything the Naval Academy stands for, engaging with our alumni, immersing our family into the community, and, most of all, developing life-long relationships with the members of our team as we work to add  more successes to the rich history of the Navy lacrosse.”

Amplo spent seven seasons as the Golden Eagles head coach. He also was the team’s head coach in 2012; however, the team did not play, as the program was being built from the ground up.

He had a 52-53 record at Marquette. The Golden Eagles won the Big East Tournament in 2016 and 2017.

Amplo was also named the Big East Coach of the Year in 2014.

“To begin, then lead a sport of a major Division I institution may be the most significant challenge in our profession,” Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said. “To do so with such astonishing short-term success is historic. Marquette lacrosse with so many documented accomplishments is a tribute to a man, whose untiring work ethic and determination provided life changing experiences to student-athletes.”