JUNE 27, 12:26 A.M. – Gary Gait, a former Syracuse great who helped revolutionize lacrosse, will meet today with SU Director of Athletics Daryl Gross to discuss coaching the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team, said men’s lacrosse coach John Desko.

Desko said Gross is still interviewing other candidates, although he declined to name them, for the vacant position. It was left open by Lisa Miller, who took a head coaching job at Harvard on June 26.

A report in the Syracuse Post-Standard on Wednesday cited an unnamed source saying Gait will be named the Orange’s head coach sometime in the next week. Gross and Gait did not return phone calls for comment.

‘When the position became available, as an old coach and friend I told him we’d be excited for him to consider it,’ Desko said. ‘If it worked out, it would be interesting for him to come here again.’

Desko was an assistant coach for SU when Gait led the Orangemen to three Division I championships from 1988 through 1990 and set a school record with 192 goals. A three-time first-team All-American, Gait also holds a single-season record of 70 goals in 1988.

Gait and twin brother, Paul, came to Syracuse from British Columbia, Canada, and brought a different flair to lacrosse with innovative stick skills and a knack for scoring with ease. He invented the ‘Air Gait,’ a move that involved jumping over the crease behind the goal, scoring in mid-air and then landing on the opposite side of the crease. Both Gaits were inducted into the U.S. National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2005.

Gait has experienced success in every facet of lacrosse, winning championships in box, field, international and women’s lacrosse. Gait spent nine seasons as the women’s assistant coach at Maryland (1994-2002), winning seven straight NCAA championships. Gait was about to start his third season as head coach of the Colorado Mammoth, of the National Lacrosse League before it was announced Gross has shown interest in Gait coaching the women’s team at Syracuse.

‘I didn’t think anyone expected (Gait) to consider Syracuse,’ Orange attack Kristin Brady said. ‘You don’t see that coming. He’s won world championships and seven at Maryland and he played for Syracuse. Obviously he’s a good coach and player, but we’re just waiting for the official announcement.’

The SU women’s lacrosse team won its first NCAA tournament game last year. Miller took the Orange to six NCAA tournament appearances in her 10 years and had an 106-53 overall record.

Syracuse junior midfielder Shannon Brushe said the team heard rumors about Gait coaching the Orange since Miller’s departure. Though both Brushe and Brady are excited about the possibility, they said the team has not been informed about the coaching selection process.

‘We’re glad the decision is being made now,’ Brushe said. ‘We were worried about the recruiting season. We needed to have a coach in place so recruits can talk to someone. Basically we’re excited it appears they’re going to make their final decision (soon).’

Desko said he doesn’t know when Gross will make a decision. But Desko knows from experience the impact Gait can bring to a lacrosse team.

‘I don’t watch too much women’s lacrosse, but my understanding is he did a tremendous job understanding the women’s game,’ Desko said. ‘He brought in what he knew from the men’s game, international game and the indoor game. He would bring all those little pieces to help (Syracuse) be a better team.’

Return to dailyorange.com for updates on this developing story.

Published on August 1, 2007 at 12:00 pm