The U.S. Naval Academy men's lacrosse program hasn't dominated the Patriot League this decade the way it did in the 2000s, and a 6-7 record in 2019 led to Rick Sowell's firing after eight seasons as head coach of the Midshipmen.
With a 54-56 career record, Sowell became the school's first losing men's lacrosse head coach and only made the NCAA tournament once. New head coach Joe Amplo, however, is not simply looking to exceed his predecessor's accomplishments. He wants to return Navy lacrosse to the powerhouse it was when the school made six straight NCAA Tournaments after joining the Patriot League in 2004.
"I grew up in the sport in the '90s and the 2000s watching Navy be very good and seeing the camaraderie and the friendships and the bandwagon that was built around that program," Amplo said on Glenn Clark Radio June 11. "I can sense that already. ... There is an excitement and a potential for all that to come back."
