The longest tenured assistant coach at the Academy, Anthony "Mac" Diange is in his 24th season with the Army lacrosse program and has been an integral part of its success. The veteran assistant, who was named the 2010 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association this past fall, will continue to run Army's offense. Diange is also a top-notch recruiter with deep roots on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley.
The Long Island native teamed with legendary coach Jack Emmer to bring stability and continuity to the Black Knights' sideline when he joined the West Point staff in 1990 and continued his tenure at the Academy with the arrival of Joe Alberici as head coach prior to the start of the 2006 season.
During his tenure at the Academy, Diange has tutored the four of the 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 - handed out annually to college lacrosse's top player - during his senior campaign, Walker still ranks third in points and fourth in goals.
From 2007-11, Diange helped develop one of the most prolific feeders in Army history -- Jeremy Boltus '11. Boltus graduated from West Point ranked second all-time in points and assists and was also a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist. He went on to enjoy huge success in his first Major League Lacrosse season, having earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011. Boltus spent last season with the Charlotte Hounds before being traded to the Denver Outlaws.
Diange sets his sights on senior tri-captain Garrett Thul as he begins his final season in an Army uniform in 2013. A two-time All-American and three-time All-Patriot League attackman, Thul is continually on the radar for the Tewaaraton Award.
Additionally, "Mac", as he is widely known in lacrosse circles, has been a part of all 11 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 earning Patriot League Rookie of the Year accolades.
A total of 17 Army players have accorded All-America accolades during Diange's term at West Point, including at least one in 11 of the last 13 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 in Cornwall. They have three children: Kelly-Lynn, Allison and Joe.
