The Chesapeake Bayhawks’ active offseason continued Wednesday morning, as the team announced it had hired Dave Cottle as its head coach.

Cottle previously coached the Bayhawks from 2012-2015, leading them to Major League Lacrosse championships in 2012 and 2013. He has served in various capacities with the franchise for the last seven years, including as its president and general manager.

According to a report by the Capital Gazette, Cottle initially rejected the position when team president Mark Burdett approached him shortly after parting ways with Brian Reese in September. Burdett wanted a coach who could assume more of a full-time role and the semi-retired Cottle was intent on spending more time at his home in Boca Raton, Fla.

Cottle, who was recently inducted into the IMLCA Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a college coach at Loyola (1983-2001) and Maryland (2002-2010), became a sounding board for Burdett in the Bayhawks’ search. Ultimately, Cottle, the team’s general manager, reconsidered his position and informed Burdett after Thanksgiving he would consider coaching again, the Capital reported.

“With a new Crownsville stadium complex in the offing, and all the work and development for the team and the brand that it will require, the organization is looking for the head coach to be a full-time position in 2018. Dave Cottle more than fits that bill,” Burdett said in a press release Wednesday.

Burdett was referring to the recently announced plans for a $40 million complex with an MLL-specific stadium as the centerpiece.

“It’s an exciting time to be a Bayhawk,” Bayhawks owner Brendan Kelly said. “We have a bright future on the horizon, but to accomplish this vision we need more people in more places more often. That includes the community. As Anne Arundel County’s only professional sports team, we want to give back to the community we have been fortunate enough to play in since 2010, and foster growth of the game of lacrosse through youth athletics as well. There’s no better person to help us win championships, support our community and grow the game than Dave Cottle.” 

“We came to the conclusion that the best candidate for what this organization needs now and in the future was already at our table in Coach Cottle,” Burdett added.

In a statement, Cottle said he believes in professional lacrosse and “the greatness of the players in the league.” Under his previous watch as head coach, Chesapeake amassed 30 wins in four seasons and ran the table in its two playoff appearances.

“I appreciate all the hard work that Coach Reese has done the last couple years,” he said. “We will continue to build on that with our goal being all in to win the Steinfeld Trophy.”