John Desko

Who is John Desko?

John Desko is the head coach of the men's lacrosse team at Syracuse University taking over the reins in 1999 from Hall of Fame coach Roy Simmons, Jr.

Desko has an overall record of 147-43 and a post-season record of 27-5. He has won five NCAA Championships as head coach and six more as an assistant coach. In eleven years as head coach, he has coached the Syracuse lacrosse team to seven NCAA finals appearances and nine Final Fours. Desko also coached Team USA to a runner-up finish at the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship.

John earned All-America honors as he helped Syracuse to a 10-5 record in 1979 and the school's first NCAA playoff berth. Desko's two younger brothers, Dave and Jeff, were also All-American lacrosse players at Syracuse. John was named USILA Division I Coach of the Year for 2008 after guiding the Orange to a title over Johns Hopkins.

The Desko family grew up in Camillus playing high school lacrosse at West Genesee, the 15-time state champions.

Desko resides in Syracuse with his wife, Cindy, and their four children; Timothy, Nicole, Casey and Ryan. Timothy attended Syracuse and played on the lacrosse team.