(Photo: Jodi Vosika/ASU Lacrosse)
After only one year at the helm for Arizona State lacrosse, Joe Thon has resigned, according to a statement released by the team on Tuesday.
Thon led ASU to a second-place finish in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference and made it to the quarterfinals of the MCLA national tournament, where they lost to Virginia Tech 10-9. He will be replaced by long time assistant coach, Todd MacRobbie.
Although Thon’s first year coaching the team was no disappointment it wasn’t enough for the highly respected program.
“He’d lost the trust in his team,” a source close to the team said. “Last fall was disorganized, but because it was his first season the team cut him some slack. When it was the same thing this year it was too much.”
With a 13-4 overall record in 2015, it was evident that the team was struggling more than usual, but that was as to be expected as Thon was trying to implement a system that the team was not used to.
“It wasn’t entirely Thon’s fault that things got out of hand,” the source said. “The freshman this year have been problematic. But, the team felt like it was time for a change.”
In a statement released by the team, general manager Collen Hayes thanked Thon.
“We also would like to thank Joseph Thon for the energy and dedication he brought to the position and wish him success in his future endeavors,” Hayes said.
Hayes said the team was confident that MacRobbie would be a good replacement.
“We feel that Todd is best equipped to maintain and elevate the tradition of lacrosse and academic excellence that has been established in Tempe,” Hayes said. “Coach MacRobbie has been a part of that tradition as a player and trusted assistant, and we’re confident he’ll continue fostering an environment that allows young men the chance to pursue a national championship and attain a world-class education.”
Despite playing attack for the Sun Devils back in 1993-96, MacRobbie was the head defensive assistant for Malone for four years, and Thon switched him to more of an offensive assistant in his one-year stand. But, during his time coaching at Arizona State MacRobbie has cemented a good reputation with the other coaches and players.
“With MacRobbie you know player-trust is going to be at an all-time high,” the source said. “MacRobbie is going to be Malone 2.0. He’s got the same lacrosse mind as Malone, but he has more control over his extremes which will help him keep morale up.”
MacRobbie’s first test as a head coach will be on November 14, when the Sun Devils scrimmage Arizona and reigning national champions, GCU.
