TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 11/20/13
Staff Report

In front of at least 100 of his supporters, longtime Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.) boys’ lacrosse coach Tom Rotanz campaigned for his job a week after it was recommended he be removed after 19 years as head coach.

According to a report by the Riverhead News-Review, Rotanz addressed the board in front of a packed high school gym of fans, former players and parents asking for his return. The previous week, district Superintendent Steve Cohen said Rotanz was “too controversial” and allegedly asked for Rotanz to retire following the season before later saying he would recommend his dismissal when Rotanz refused the offer.

“I don’t like being controversial, I just like coaching.” Rotanz said, reported the Riverhead News-Review. “I’ll do whatever I can to make your job easier. If we can just sit down and work this out and have these meetings and hopefully face these bigger issues down the road.”

According to the News-Review, Cohen said he would consider Rotanz’s position.

Shoreham-Wading River won the Long Island Class C championship in June, before falling to Bronxville in the state semifinals. The Wildcats finished 18-2 and Rotanz’s career nark is 238-97 record (.710 winning pct.) with 10 Suffolk County Lacrosse Championships, five Long Island Championships and three New York State Championships (2002, 2007, & 2012).