Joe Amplo Hometown: Farmingville, N.Y. High School: Sachem Position: Head Coach Alma Mater: Hofstra (2000)

Email

Joe Amplo was named the first head coach in Marquette men's lacrosse history on Feb. 4, 2011.

Amplo comes to Marquette with 11 years of collegiate coaching experience, 10 of which came at his alma mater, Hofstra University. He served as associate head coach with the Pride for three years, and was the team's defensive coordinator.

During his time at Hofstra, Amplo participated in 10 NCAA Championships, three as a student-athlete and seven as a coach, the most recent of which came in 2010.

"Joe's story of non-recruited walk-on to all-conference performer will serve as an inspiration to future Marquette men's lacrosse student-athletes," said Mike Broeker, Deputy Athletic Director and sport administrator for men's lacrosse. "While better understanding his ideals and values, it became quite evident Joe was the ideal person to build our program. Those who know him best talked of an excellent lacrosse coach and skill developer, but more importantly characterized him as family man of great integrity; a selfless teammate who displayed tremendous work ethic and perseverance; and an educator committed to being more than just a coach to the young men in his program. We are so pleased to welcome Joe and his family to Marquette."

Amplo joined the Hofstra coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 1999 and remained with the University until 2001 when he took an assistant coaching position at the University of Pennsylvania. After one year at Penn, Amplo returned to Long Island where he remained through the 2011 season.

"I am extremely grateful to be chosen as the first head men's lacrosse coach at Marquette University," Amplo said. "I have dreamed about the opportunity to lead a Division I lacrosse program and after better understanding, and seeing first-hand, Marquette's commitment to lacrosse, I realized quickly this was the perfect opportunity to pursue. I am blessed to have been mentored by some incredible people throughout my career, individuals who taught me to work hard, believe in myself, be accountable and always do the right thing. This decision was easy once I realized members of the Marquette community embody those same ideals.It truly is the perfect fit for me and my family."

In his first stint with Hofstra, Amplo worked under then-head coach John Danowski, now the coach of 2010 NCAA Champion Duke University.

Since his return to Hofstra in 2003, the Pride has posted a 76-49 record and advanced to five NCAA Championships. He has coached 53 all-conference players at Hofstra, including five conference players of the year, four rookies of the year and 21 all-Americans. One of those players, Doug Shannahan, earned the Tewaaraton Award in 2001, honoring the top player in college lacrosse. Amplo has also coached another Tewaaraton Award finalist in Chris Unterstein, 13 North-South All-Stars and six USILA Scholar All-Americans.

As a student-athlete, he was an All-America East performer as a senior in 1999 when he started all 16 games and led the school to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. He played in 58 games in his career and notched 91 ground balls, 40 of which came during his senior season.

In addition to his work with Hofstra, Amplo is active on the lecture circuit and is the founder and director of the Long Island Classic and Clinic, one of the largest youth and high school tournaments in the nation. He is also the director of the Blue and Gold Lacrosse Camps, which operates on the Hofstra campus.

The Farmingville, N.Y., native attended Sachem High School in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., where he earned four letters in both lacrosse and football and was an all-conference performer in both sports.

Amplo graduated from Hofstra in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in geography and earned a master's degree from the University in college student counseling. He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Babylon, N.Y., and have two daughters, Sophia (5) and Charlotte (2).

What others are saying about Joe Amplo...

Seth Tierney, head coach at Hofstra University:
"While we are sorry to see Joe leave Hofstra at the end of this season, we are excited for his opportunity to become a head coach at an outstanding institution like Marquette University. Joe has worked hard, both as a player and a coach, to reach this level and we are happy for him. He brings the passion, intensity and knowledge to his position that will make him successful."

Bill Tierney, six-time NCAA champion and current head coach at University of Denver:
"As Marquette University moves forward in its creation of a first-class Division I men's lacrosse program, it could not have done better than to hire Joe Amplo. Joe is greatly respected in the collegiate lacrosse coaching community and everyone feels great about him getting his first chance to be a head coach. He was a great player and great assistant coach, but most importantly he has the passion and drive to make his team great, and I am sure he will accomplish that task".

Dave Cottle, consultant to Marquette University and former head coach at Loyola (Md.) and Maryland:
"Joe is not only an outstanding young coach but an outstanding person.He has worked for two great head coaches at Hofstra and now will get a chance to run his own program. There is no doubt in my mind that Joe will be a great head coach."

John Danowski, 2010 NCAA champion and head coach at Duke University:
"Joe Amplo gets coaching.He understands the importance the position plays in the development of today's student-athlete. His strong sense of family, superb communication skills and his love of teaching has already given Marquette lacrosse an identity that their students and fans will be proud of."

Jon Jiloty, editor of Inside Lacrosse magazine:
"Joe Amplo is one of the country's top assistant coaches and I think Marquette made a great hire. Not only is he an excellent defensive coach, but he's a first-class individual that really gets it. He will be a great ambassador for Marquette's brand-new program."

Joe Amplo's Coaching Experience