Changes announced on Butler staff

[Sonny]

Head Coach Stan Ross Announces Lacrosse Staff Changes

Matt Florio is promoted to a full-time assistant position; Tim O'Shea named to part-time post

Aug. 28, 2006

Former graduate assistant Matt Florio has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach position on the Butler University men's lacrosse team, and former Butler player Tim O'Shea has been added as a part-time assistant coach for the Bulldogs. The two coaching changes were announced by Butler head coach Stan Ross, who completed his staff for the 2006-07 season.

"I believe we have hired two young, exceptionally talented individuals," said Ross, who's in his third season as Butler's head coach. "Both are coaches with integrity and character. They have an excellent work ethic, and they have a great passion for Butler and the sport of lacrosse."

"Matt did an excellent job as our graduate assistant, and I'm looking for big things out of him now that he's able to work full-time. He will be our offensive and recruiting coordinator. And we're excited to welcome Tim back to the Butler lacrosse family. He brings a wealth of knowledge as a former high school coach. He will work with the attack and the extra man unit, and his off-the-field responsibilities will include alumni relations and team travel."

Florio joined Butler's staff last year, after spending one year in Manchester, England, working with the English Lacrosse Association (ELA). In England, he coached the under-16 Heaton Mersey team to the British Junior Championship and an overall record of 14-2-1. He also played for Heaton Mersey in the English Premier League, helping the team to a second-place finish in the British National Championships. His duties with the ELA included developing the sport of lacrosse in participating schools, organizing clinics, camps and coaching programs, and directing lacrosse tournaments and competitions.

Florio was a four-year member of the lacrosse team at Towson University, during the time that Ross was serving as an assistant coach for the Tigers. He was a starting midfielder in his final two seasons, and he helped Towson to three conference championships and a trip to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament during his tenure. He scored 28 goals and added 10 assists in 50 career games, including 12 goals and five assists as a senior.

O'Shea, a 2002 Butler graduate, has served as head lacrosse coach at Pike High School for the past four years. He took over a program that was winless in 2002 and guided the squad to 18 victories over the next two seasons. He's also been active in promoting the sport at a variety of camps and clinics, including the Butler Lacrosse Camp and the Michigan Lacrosse Camp.

A four-year lacrosse starter at Massena Central High School (N.Y.), O'Shea spent two years at SUNY Canton before transferring to Butler in 2000. He was a first team Region III selection at SUNY Canton in 2000, and he went on to earn two varsity lacrosse letters at Butler. He was a starter at the attack position for the Bulldogs under head coach Craig Kahoun in 2002. He's also played at the Junior and Major levels of the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA).

O'Shea earned an associate's degree from SUNY Canton in 2000 and a B.A. degree from Butler in 2003. He's had teaching assignments at Waldron Junior/Senior High School, Decatur Central High School and Pike High School in Indiana.