SU assistant John Odierna to also coach for PLL’s Boston Cannons
Syracuse men’s lacrosse assistant John Odierna has also joined the coaching staff for the PLL’s Boston Cannons, the team announced Wednesday. Solange Jain | Photo Editor
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Syracuse men’s lacrosse assistant coach John Odierna has joined the coaching staff of the Premier Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons, the team announced Wednesday. Odierna will serve as an assistant coach with the Cannons. His role at SU remains unchanged.
“Fired up for the opportunity!!” Odierna posted on X Wednesday, followed by a pair of cannon emojis.
Odierna specializes in defense. He became Syracuse’s defensive coordinator for the 2024 season after serving on Manhattan’s coaching staff from 2016-23. There, he built one of the nation’s most lethal defenses despite being in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He grew well-renowned for his ability to dissect film on opponents and use his players’ strengths to create game plans.
The Jaspers were a three-win team in Odierna’s first year as their defensive coordinator. In 2023, after being elevated to head coach, Odierna’s Manhattan squad gave up the fewest goals per game in the country (8.00).
Odierna’s performance paved the way for SU head coach Gary Gait to bring him onto his coaching staff. The Orange performed solid defensively in 2024, holding opponents to 11 goals a game. They’ve taken a step up in year two under Odierna, ranking tied for fourth in the nation in scoring defense — 8.20 goals allowed per game.
With the PLL season taking place during college lacrosse’s offseason, Odierna shouldn’t have trouble balancing the two jobs. He’ll join the Boston Cannons’ second-ever coaching staff since they joined the PLL in 2024. The Cannons rebranded after previously competing in Major League Lacrosse from 2001 to 2020.
