St. John's University Athletics
Dan Paccione to Become Head Coach at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
1/18/2022 2:15:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Paccione earns his first head coaching job after 15 seasons as St. John’s assistant
QUEENS, N.Y. - Longtime St. John's lacrosse associate head coach Dan Paccione will depart the Red Storm program to become the head coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the school announced on Tuesday.
"For the past 15 years, it's been an honor and privilege to coach at St. John's University," Paccione said. "I will always cherish the relationships that I've built with the players, coaches, administrators, staff and everyone I came into contact with at St John's."
Paccione will end his St. John's career as the longest tenured assistant/associate head coach in program history. He spent 15 years as a member of Head Coach Jason Miller's staff including the last seven as associate head coach. During his time at St. John's, Paccione helped guide the Red Storm to 65 victories, including its first-ever BIG EAST Tournament victory over top-ranked Notre Dame, 8-7, in 2012.
As offensive coordinator, he played an integral role in the development of three-time All-American and two-time BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year Kieran McArdle. The former Johnnie finished his career in 2014 ranked first in program history in points (264), goals (125) and assists (139). The program's most prolific player in history now competes at the sport's highest level as an attackman for the Premier Lacrosse League's Waterdogs and the National Lacrosse League's New York Riptide.
Throughout his 15 seasons at St. John's, Paccione mentored 28 All-BIG EAST selections, 10 NCAA North-South Game participants and three All-ECAC honorees. 22 of the program's 28 All-BIG EAST choices played on the attacking end.
"I couldn't be happier for Dan and his family, "said Miller. "It's a great opportunity for him to fulfill his dream of being a Head Coach on Long Island. I couldn't be prouder of him and I'm excited for his next chapter."
Paccione was elevated to associate head coach in 2014 on the heels of one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history. In 2013, the team averaged 12.46 goals per game, which ranked fifth in the NCAA and first in the BIG EAST.
Since then, seven Johnnies have eclipsed the 30-goal mark and the team led the conference in man-up offense in 2019 with a 40.7 percent scoring rate.
Miller's right-hand man played a critical role in the team's success in the classroom, as the team garnered seven BIG EAST Team Academic Excellence Awards in a nine-year span. The last time St. John's won the award in spring 2020, the team posted a 3.592 cumulative GPA. During Paccione's tenure, two Johnnies, Mark DiFrangia and Aidan Marron, were tabbed as USILA Scholar All-American's.
Paccione arrived in Queens prior to the 2007 season. He and Miller were tied for the longest active coaching duo among BIG EAST schools. Since the conference introduced men's lacrosse in 2010, Villanova's Mike Corrado and Simon Connor are the only other coaching tandem who had been together during the entirety of the league's existence.
"I can't think of many places where a staff had been together longer than us," said Miller. "I've watched him grow into a great son, husband, father, coach, recruiter and mentor."
"I've always felt very grateful for the time I've spent working with Jason Miller," said Paccione. "He's been a great leader, friend and mentor to me. While I truly enjoyed my time a St John's, I'm ready to take the next step in my coaching career. "
Prior to St. John's, Paccione served as an assistant coach at Yale and Stony Brook.
As a player, Paccione won two ECAC titles as an attackman at the University of Massachusetts. He recorded 47 points and notched a .548 winning percentage at the faceoff "X" his senior season, leading his team to an NCAA Quarterfinal.
Following his collegiate career, he was selected 11th overall in the MLL draft to the Long Island Lizards. The offensive specialist spent five seasons in the league with three different teams and won a league title with the Lizards in 2003. Additionally, he played in the National Lacrosse League with the New York Saints.
Paccione and his wife, Katie, reside in Wantagh N.Y. They have three children Devin, Madison and Luke.
"For the past 15 years, it's been an honor and privilege to coach at St. John's University," Paccione said. "I will always cherish the relationships that I've built with the players, coaches, administrators, staff and everyone I came into contact with at St John's."
Paccione will end his St. John's career as the longest tenured assistant/associate head coach in program history. He spent 15 years as a member of Head Coach Jason Miller's staff including the last seven as associate head coach. During his time at St. John's, Paccione helped guide the Red Storm to 65 victories, including its first-ever BIG EAST Tournament victory over top-ranked Notre Dame, 8-7, in 2012.
As offensive coordinator, he played an integral role in the development of three-time All-American and two-time BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year Kieran McArdle. The former Johnnie finished his career in 2014 ranked first in program history in points (264), goals (125) and assists (139). The program's most prolific player in history now competes at the sport's highest level as an attackman for the Premier Lacrosse League's Waterdogs and the National Lacrosse League's New York Riptide.
Throughout his 15 seasons at St. John's, Paccione mentored 28 All-BIG EAST selections, 10 NCAA North-South Game participants and three All-ECAC honorees. 22 of the program's 28 All-BIG EAST choices played on the attacking end.
"I couldn't be happier for Dan and his family, "said Miller. "It's a great opportunity for him to fulfill his dream of being a Head Coach on Long Island. I couldn't be prouder of him and I'm excited for his next chapter."
Paccione was elevated to associate head coach in 2014 on the heels of one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history. In 2013, the team averaged 12.46 goals per game, which ranked fifth in the NCAA and first in the BIG EAST.
Since then, seven Johnnies have eclipsed the 30-goal mark and the team led the conference in man-up offense in 2019 with a 40.7 percent scoring rate.
Miller's right-hand man played a critical role in the team's success in the classroom, as the team garnered seven BIG EAST Team Academic Excellence Awards in a nine-year span. The last time St. John's won the award in spring 2020, the team posted a 3.592 cumulative GPA. During Paccione's tenure, two Johnnies, Mark DiFrangia and Aidan Marron, were tabbed as USILA Scholar All-American's.
Paccione arrived in Queens prior to the 2007 season. He and Miller were tied for the longest active coaching duo among BIG EAST schools. Since the conference introduced men's lacrosse in 2010, Villanova's Mike Corrado and Simon Connor are the only other coaching tandem who had been together during the entirety of the league's existence.
"I can't think of many places where a staff had been together longer than us," said Miller. "I've watched him grow into a great son, husband, father, coach, recruiter and mentor."
"I've always felt very grateful for the time I've spent working with Jason Miller," said Paccione. "He's been a great leader, friend and mentor to me. While I truly enjoyed my time a St John's, I'm ready to take the next step in my coaching career. "
Prior to St. John's, Paccione served as an assistant coach at Yale and Stony Brook.
As a player, Paccione won two ECAC titles as an attackman at the University of Massachusetts. He recorded 47 points and notched a .548 winning percentage at the faceoff "X" his senior season, leading his team to an NCAA Quarterfinal.
Following his collegiate career, he was selected 11th overall in the MLL draft to the Long Island Lizards. The offensive specialist spent five seasons in the league with three different teams and won a league title with the Lizards in 2003. Additionally, he played in the National Lacrosse League with the New York Saints.
Paccione and his wife, Katie, reside in Wantagh N.Y. They have three children Devin, Madison and Luke.
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