Hiller officially steps down as (Boston Cannons) coach

[Sonny]

Hiller officially steps down as coach

August 25, 2005
from press releases

The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced today that Scott Hiller will no longer coach the team. Hiller resigned the position and is moving on to coach the MLL expansion franchise located in Chicago. In four seasons as head coach of the Cannons he compiled a 32-18 record. The 32 wins ranks second among coaches on the MLL’s all-time list. Hiller was named MLL Warrior Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2002. He is the only two-time winner of the award. Hiller has led the Cannons to two straight American Division titles.

“The people of Boston have been phenomenal throughout my entire lacrosse career,” said Hiller. “Starting at UMass then coaching at Harvard and then the Cannons, I have been involved in lacrosse in Massachusetts for the last 15 years. It was a very difficult decision to leave. Thank you to everyone involved in the sport in New England.”

A lawyer for the Chicago based law firm of Bollinger, Ruberry and Garvey, Hiller has commuted from Chicago to Boston during his four years as head coach of the team. The MLL announced the addition of its Chicago franchise on August 21, 2005. Chicago will play in the Western Division along with Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

“I have seen the growth of lacrosse in Massachusetts and I hope to see the same in the Chicago area,” said Hiller. “I also made this decision for personal reasons. The commute from Chicago to Boston was becoming taxing for both me and my wife. Travel concerns and the opportunity to help the sport continue to grow in the midwest by being involved with an expansion franchise were major factors in my decision.”

Hiller began his head coaching career with the Cannons in 2002, after serving as an assistant coach for the team in 2001. In addition to his head coaching duties, he has held the position of Director of Player Personnel throughout his five year involvement with the Cannons.

“The whole Cannons organization has been great, from top to bottom,” said Hiller. “The reason I stayed involved as long as I did was because of the great people involved with the Cannons and the great fans here in Boston.”

“I am confident the Cannons will find a great new head coach,” Hiller continued. “There are so many great players here in Boston and I’m sure the team will be right there again next year competing for a MLL championship.”

The Cannons winning percentage has improved each year under Hiller’s direction. Hiller led the team to a 7-7 record in 2002, 7-5 in 2003, an 8-4 mark in 2004 and a team and MLL best 10-2 in the 2005 season. Boston made the playoffs in each of Hiller’s four years has head coach, advancing to the New Balance Championship Game in 2004.

“We are grateful for all that Scott has done for the Cannons organization,” said Matt Dwyer, President - Boston Cannons. “He took over a team that was 3 and 11 in 2001 and helped turn the Cannons into a consistent winner. Scott is a true professional and a model for what a head coach in the MLL should be. We will miss Scott, but wish him all the best in his new position with the Chicago franchise.”

Hiller began his coaching career at Harvard as an assistant coach with the Crimson from 1991-1999. He was a highly decorated college lacrosse player at the University of Massachusetts, graduating in 1990. He was a four-time All-American selection, one of only two in the school’s history to receive the honor four times. He played indoor lacrosse for the Boston Blazers from 1991 to 1996.

[Gregg Pathiakis]

As disappointing as this news is, you had to see it coming. I can't imagine what it's like just for a player to have to travel back from Chicago and beyond all the time for games and practices, but Coach Hiller had so many other duties that he had to be back in town for. Back when I was working for the Cannons and Chicago was in the running for a team, we all knew Hiller would automatically take the position and joked that the team would be the Chicago Hillers. Scotty is a great guy and a great coach and I definitely do not look forward to the Cannons playing against him in the future.

[Gregg Pathiakis]

August 30, 2005 - The Boston Cannons announced today that Bill Daye is the team’s new head coach. Daye served as the Cannons assistant coach in 2005, in charge of Boston’s defense. Under the direction of Daye the Cannons defense improved dramatically. Boston finished the year second in goals against, just one goal behind Baltimore. The Cannons ‘D’ finished first in two-point goals against, assists against and penalty kill percentage. In 2004 Boston was last or second to last in each of those categories. Under Daye, Cannons players were named MLL Defensive Player of the Week five times.

“I am looking forward to this new challenge,” said Daye. “I have been a part of this organization from day one. The Cannons are a first class operation and I am excited to remain a part of it, and to work with the ownership, staff and players to bring a MLL championship to the city of Boston.”

“The Boston fans are the best in the league,” continued Daye. “I’m very happy to be out there in front of them coaching this team. I know we all want to win a title for the fans here. With expansion and all that comes with that, I think we have our work cut out for us. But I am confident we will be vying for the MLL title in 2006.”

This is the first time Daye has been named a head coach. He was an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Johns Hopkins and Boston College. He coached at UNC in 1994, Hopkins in 1995 and at B.C. from 1998-1999.

“Bill is the perfect person for this job,” said Matt Dwyer, Cannons President. “He has been with this league since the beginning as both a player and a coach. Bill is one of the most respected people in the game today. He knows the Cannons organization and our players and this league. I am confident that Bill will be an outstanding leader for our organization in 2006 and beyond.”

Daye replaces Scott Hiller as the team’s head coach. Hiller led the Cannons from 2002-2005 compiling a 32-18 record. Daye is the third coach in Cannons history.

“Last year I learned a great deal working with Scott (Hiller) and Jim (Murphy – assistant coach),” said Daye. “Our foundation will remain the same. Conditioning will continue to be a big focus. It is very important for our guys to keep that up and come into the season prepared.”

“We also want to keep playing for the Cannons fun,” Daye continued. “Scott did a great job balancing the fun aspect with the work aspect of playing professional lacrosse and that is something I want to continue.”

In addition to coaching in the MLL, Daye was a decorated player in the league’s first two seasons. Daye played for the Cannons from 2001-2002. He was named to the MLL All-Star team in 2001 and was awarded the Cannons Team MVP that same season. Daye’s MLL career was cut short by a neck injury in 2002 that forced him to retire.

Daye played 18 career regular season games for the Cannons and appeared in one postseason contest before missing the final ten games of the 2002 season due to injury. Daye’s retirement was announced before the final game of the 2002 season. He was the Cannons team MVP in 2001 the same season he was selected as a starter in the MLL All-Star game. The Cannons were 2 and 1 heading into the fourth game of the 2002 season. Daye left that game in the first quarter, marking the final time he appeared on the field in a Cannons uniform.

Daye attempted a comeback to the Cannons in 2004. That effort was stopped short after he suffered an Achilles injury while training for the season. The injury required immediate surgery and Daye was forced to wear a cast for several weeks.

An All-American in college, Daye played on the 1991 North Carolina National Championship team. A 1993 UNC graduate, he played on three NCAA Final Four teams and won the Tar Heels Unsung Hero Award in 1993.

Daye currently resides in Boston with his wife Alison. In addition to his work with the Cannons, he is also a team sales representative with Commonwealth Lacrosse in Weymouth, MA.