This week the Mizzou Men’s Lacrosse Club asked Coach Keith Euker to step down. The club felt that it was heading in a different direction than Euker and that it would be best to make an immediate change.
Club president and team captain Josh Nelson said, “Collectively, the team has decided that the best option for the future of the organization is to move in a different direction. We have nothing but respect for Coach Euker and wish him the best in his future. He did a lot for this program and we are truly grateful for everything he accomplished during his time with the program.”
When asked to comment, Euker said, “This is an unfortunate situation but the bottom line is if the club isn’t getting what they want out of me as the head coach, then they need to make a change. I want to thank Mizzou and the entire community of Columbia for welcoming me in the way they have over the past two years. I will miss the players, fans, operations staff, and particularly the youth league here. I have enjoyed my time here in Columbia and I will always be a Tigers fan.”
During Euker’s 2-year tenure, the Tigers moved up in the national rankings from 68th to 23rd, garnering a total of 17 All-Conference awards, three All-American awards, and a 2011 Coach of the Year award.
Defensive Coordinator Eric Chole will take over for the Tigers as interim coach. The team had a planned break this week off after playing in a tournament Sept. 23 and 24. Practices resume on Monday, Oct. 3 under the direction of Chole.
The club will immediately begin the search for a new head coach and an assistant coach. For information on either of these positions please contact club president Josh Nelson [jsb994 (at) mail.missouri.edu] or either of the club’s advisers: Joe Vale [valej (at) missouri.edu] or Karen Mitchell [mitchellkk (at) missouri.edu].
