Miller Announces Additions to Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jason Miller  has announced the addition of two accomplished individuals to his coaching staff. Former Red Storm standout Chris Fisher has returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach while U.S Lacrosse Hall of Famer John DeTommaso has accepted the role of volunteer assistant coach. 

"I'm beyond excited to add Chris and John to our coaching staff," said Miller. "Both these guys will help us. I can't wait to get onto the field with them."

Fisher enjoyed a stellar career with the Johnnies from 2012-15. 

"Chris had a great playing career here and was a key contributor on some of the best teams we have ever had at St. John's," said Miller. "In addition, he brings a pedigree of success from coaching stops at Wesley, Limestone, and two BIG EAST Championships at Georgetown."

He most recently spent one year as an assistant coach at Division II powerhouse Limestone University. The Saints finished the year with a 10-4 record and ranked No. 14 nationally in the USILA poll.

Previously, Fisher was the faceoff coordinator at Georgetown University for three years. While in the nation's capital, the Hoyas captured back-to-back conference titles in 2018 and 2019. Under Fisher's guidance, James Reilly set a program record with 419 faceoff attempts and ranks second with 206 wins in a single season at the "X."

Prior to Georgetown, the Bishopville, Md., native spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Wesley College. While with the Wolverines, he developed the team's strength and conditioning regiment and oversaw student-athlete academic progress.

In his time with the Red Storm, Fisher appeared in 51 career games as a long-stick midfielder. He collected 66 ground balls, caused 12 turnovers, and added five points over four seasons. He was named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team in each of his final two years. 

DeTommaso brings over 40 years of lacrosse experience to St. John's. The Farmingdale, N.Y., native with deep ties to the area will mentor the Red Storm's defensemen, while focusing on player development and assisting in strategy and game management.

"There aren't very many people in this sport who have a better lacrosse resume than John DeTommaso," said Miller. "He's as accomplished a player as anyone I know, arguably one of the best defensemen ever to play. He was a Coach of the Year at Mepham and won two MLL Championships with the Long Island Lizards." 

DeTommaso began his coaching career at Mepham High School and was named Nassau County Coach of the Year in 1992. He later took the helm at the professional ranks with the Long Island Lizards. He led the Lizards to two Major League Lacrosse titles in just three tries in 2001 and 2003.  Additionally, he has coached in the collegiate ranks at Hofstra University and was a national runner-up at C.W. Post College.

On the field, DeTommaso is one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport. The former Johns Hopkins Blue Jay was a four-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion. He won the 1985 Schmeisser Award, given annually to the best defender in the nation. 

DeTommaso captured four World Championships with Team USA (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998). The defenseman was named to the All-World Team after the 1994 World Championship. His success on the field earned him a spot in the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2001. 

Aside from lacrosse, DeTommaso recently retired from a long career in education, serving as the superintendent at Bellmore-Merrick school district for eight years.

St. John's University Athletics

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