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Anthony "Mac" Diange - Assistant Coach |
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The longest tenured assistant coach
at the Academy, Anthony “Mac”
Diange is in his 19th season with the
Army lacrosse program and has been
an integral part of its success. The
veteran assistant will continue to run
Army’s offense, which he has been
initiating for the past decade, as well
as recruiting on Long Island and in the
Hudson Valley.
The Long Island native teamed with
legendary Jack Emmer to bring
stability and continuity to the Black
Knights’ sideline when he joined the West Point staff in 1990. The long-time
assistant at the Academy was retained by Joe Alberici when he was named
head coach prior to the start of the 2006 season.
During his tenure at the Academy, Diange has tutored the two most prolific
scorers in Army lacrosse history. Tim Pearson totaled 238 points from
1998-02 to eclipse the previous scoring record by 34. The three-time All-
American also sits atop the career assist list with 142. Diange also guided
John Walker during his standout career that culminated with 209 points
(125 goals, 84 assists) and his second All-America honor in 2006. One of
five finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy – annually handed out to college
lacrosse’s top player – during his senior campaign, Walker still ranks third in
assists and fourth in goals.
Additionally, “Mac” as he is widely known in lacrosse circles, has been a part
of all 10 Patriot League titles the Academy has either won or shared, and
has watched three of his attackmen and two midfielders earn the league’s
“Offensive Player of the Year” award. Five of his other offensive threats
started their careers off by earn Patriot League “Rookie of the Year”
accolades as well.
A total of 13 Army players have accorded All-America accolades during
Diange’s term at West Point, including at least one in seven of the last eight
years.
Diange arrived at West Point in 1990 following a nine-year stint on the
Division III level as head lacrosse coach at SUNY Geneseo. While at the
helm of the Blue Knights, Diange was named the State University of New
York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) “Coach of the Year,” twice in 1985 and
again in 1989. He played a large role in popularizing the game of lacrosse in
Western New York through the success of the program, compiling a 51-49
record during his tenure. In only his second season, he guided the squad to
an 8-3 mark and the school’s first SUNYAC Championship.
Diange is a 1977 graduate of SUNY Cortland, widely considered the
cradle of college lacrosse coaching, where he earned a bachelor’s degree
in physical education. A standout midfielder, he was a member of the Red
Dragons’ 1975 Division II National Championship squad. He also spent
one year as an assistant coach at Albany while earning a master’s degree in
education.
A native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., Diange starred in football and lacrosse
at Farmingdale High School and helped the gridders to the 1971 New York
State championship.
Diange and his wife, Janice, reside at West Point. They have three children:
Kelly-Lynn, 26, Allison, 24, and Joe, 21.
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