Familiar face to lead Rush next season

There will be a new, but familiar face behind the bench for the Saskatchewan Rush next season.

Former player and coach Jimmy Quinlan has been tapped as the lacrosse team’s new head coach and associate general manager.

Quinlan took over as interim head coach at the end of the 2021 season, leading the team on a four-game win streak.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to have the opportunity to continue to work with the Rush organization and its amazing people,” Quinlan said in a news release.

Quinlan played eight seasons with the Rush, and captained the team from 2011-13. He’s the only player in franchise history to have his number (81) retired.

After his playing career ended, Quinlan was part of the Rush coaching staff for five seasons, helping the team win three National League Lacrosse championships. He took a brief hiatus in 2018 before returning last year.

Rush general manager Derek Keenan said he feels like he’s got the right man for the job and is looking forward to next season.

“I’ve got 100 per cent confidence that Jimmy Quinlan is the right head coach to lead the Rush organization back to our championship ways,” Keenan said in the release.

“Jimmy has great passion for the organization and, of course, the game of lacrosse.”

Quinlan currently lives in Sherwood Park, Alta. with his wife and three kids, where he teaches and is a lacrosse coach at Vimy Ridge Academy.

The Rush hope to return to the playoffs after missing out the past two seasons (no playoffs were held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and ending last year with an 8-10 record.