RUSH MAKE COACHING CHANGE; KEENAN RETURNS
Saskatoon, SK. – Saskatchewan Rush general manager Derek Keenan announced today head coach Jeff McComb has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. Derek Keenan and offensive coach Jimmy Quinlan will serve as associate head coaches for the remainder of the 2022 season, alongside defensive coach Jeremy Tallevi.
“30 years in this league and this is by far the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” explained Rush general manager Derek Keenan. “It’s clear we have not met expectations this year but it’s not all on Jeff McComb. He’s a great coach. He’s diligent, creative, and detailed. Jeff has done the work that’s expected of a head coach, but the team has not performed to the level of our expectations.”
McComb joined the Rush coaching staff in 2014 and helped guide the club to three NLL championships. In August of 2020, McComb was promoted to head coach of the club but due to the pandemic his debut was delayed until December of 2021. The Rush hold a 4-10 record this season under McComb.
“We’ve had a lot of success together,” said Keenan. “Jeff’s been a huge part of our three championships and NLL dominance since then. As a friend, colleague, and on behalf of the Rush organization I thank him for his contributions to our success.”
The Rush will now look to a younger voice to help salvage the remainder of the 2022 campaign with former superstar Jimmy Quinlan taking the reigns alongside Keenan.
“Jimmy Quinlan is the Rush franchise, he’s been with the team from day one in 2006,” stated Keenan. Following this season, Keenan will once again step back from the bench and hand the keys over full-time to Quinlan, who will lead the Rush into the 2022-23 campaign as the head coach. “He epitomizes what the organization is all about. Hard work, dedication, commitment, confidence, diligence, and perseverance. Jimmy was all of that as a player and has been as an assistant coach. I believe Jimmy will bring those same qualities to the table as head coach of the Rush.”
Quinlan is the only player in Rush franchise history to have his number retired and served as team captain from 2011-2013. The 40-year-old Quinlan joined the Rush coaching staff in 2014 as the defensive coach. Through five seasons, Jimmy helped lead the Rush to three NLL Championships. Quinlan took a brief hiatus after the 2018 season but returned as the offensive coach in 2021. Jimmy and his wife and three kids reside in Sherwood Park, Alberta, where he teaches and coaches lacrosse at the Vimy Ridge Academy in Edmonton.
Derek Keenan will look to fill the offensive coaching position for the Rush in the 2022 off-season.
The Rush are currently on a bye week and will return to action next Saturday, April 9th, on Co-op Field to host the Vancouver Warriors at 8:00pm.
(Sask Rush Communications)
