Doug Shanahan

Doug Shanahan (born January 11, 1979) is a professional lacrosse player who is a midfielder and faced off for the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) during his professional career. He attended Hofstra University, playing both football and lacrosse in college.

Hofstra University

From 1997 to 2001 Shanahan was a standout in both lacrosse and football. As a defensive back for the Pride, Shanahan was honored as a 3 time All American in football. In 2000, he was also a Buck Buchanan Award finalist which is given to the top defensive player in Division 1AA. Following his senior year, he was signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. Shanahan had an impressive tryout only to be released as the final defensive back on the last day of camp. During the same summer the Jets allowed Shanahan to go with Team USA and compete in the World Lacrosse Championships in Perth, Australia. Shanahan turned down several football offers from the Canadian Football League to pursue his career in the MLL. At Hofstra, Shanahan also was a 3 time All American in lacrosse, was named the NCAA National Player of the Year and won the McLaughlin Award as the nation's top midfielder. In 1997 he was named the America East rookie of the year. In 2001 he was the inaugural winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy, which is presented yearly to the nation's top college player.

Pro career

Shanahan was a member of the 2002 U.S. World Lacrosse Championship title team, in which he received All-World and Championship MVP honors. He was also a member of the 2006 USA World Lacrosse team.^[1]

He was drafted by the Bridgeport Barrage (1st overall) in the 2002 MLL Supplemental Draft. He played with Barrage through the 2005 season, helping the Barrage capture the 2004 Major League Lacrosse Championship. He was acquired by the Chicago Machine in the 2006 Expansion Draft (1st round, 4th pick) from Philadelphia ^[2]

Shanahan also played a half season during the New York Saints last year of the National Lacrosse League in 2002, where he recorded 7 goals and 4 assists in 8 games.

Coaching experience

Doug Shanahan was head coach of the Glenbrook South Titans of Glenview, Illinois from 2006 to 2008. In his inaugural year as head coach, Shanahan led the Titans to a 4th place finish in the IHSLA Lacrosse state championship tournament. In his two years at Glenbrook South, Shanahan lead the Titans to the playoffs and finished with an overall record of 26-10, the following year the Titans ended up with a 2-15 record. In 2008, Shanahan also coached lacrosse at the University of Illinois, where he took a 1-5 lacrosse team to an 11-7 record after he was named head coach. That year, the Illini finished in MCLA Division 1 with a ranking of 21st in the nation. In 2009, Doug Shanahan signed on as the new head coach for the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Pine Crest Panthers, leading them to a 12-6 record. Similar to his high school and college days Doug also was a part of the football squad as the Quarterback coach. In 2013, Shanahan left Pine Crest to coach at St. Thomas Aquinas as Asst Head Coach. Shanahan took the Raiders to the Final Four in 2014. Recently, Shanahan has accepted a position at St Brendan as Asst. Athletic Director and Head Lacrosse Coach in the fall of 2014. St Brendan a new program is sure to be a power house in due time.

After Lacrosse

Shanahan taught at Pine Crest Preparatory School in Ft.Lauderdale for 5 years(FL). He is a teacher and boys lacrosse coach. 2014- Currently at St Brendan High School Miami Florida, Asst Athletic Director. In June of 2015 it was announced that Shanahan would be joining Legacy Travel Intl. as a lacrosse consultant.

Statistics

MLL

Hofstra University

Awards

References

External links

• Laxpower.com Illinois Illini 2008 season
• Laxpower.com Glenbrook South Titans 2007 season
• Laxpower.com Pine Crest Panthers 2009 season