Photo Courtesy / Red Storm Sports
As a first-year head coach of the St. John’s lacrosse team, Justin Turri has quite a job ahead of him. Following a season that generated only two wins from fourteen outings, the Johnnies have proven to be a team in desperate need of strong leadership and guidance. In a search for a partner to help him lead, Turri has turned to his brother Kyle Turri to fill the role of assistant coach for the 2022-23 year, serving as a defensive coordinator for the Red Storm.
“[Kyle] will fit in seamlessly with the identity we are building as a program and has proven through his stops at Binghamton and Hobart that he recruits at the absolute highest level,” Justin Turri said in a press release. “His addition is another major victory for our players and program.”
Turri spent the last four years as the defensive coordinator at Hobart and William Smith College, whose lacrosse team is the only Division I program at the college. While there, Hobart compiled a record of 28-15 and finished runner up in the Northeast Conference in two of the last three conference championships.
Justin Turri landed the role as head coach recently, being announced by the Red Storm Athletic Department on June 17. A New York native, he returned to his home state after serving as the offensive coordinator at Michigan.
Both Turri brothers were players themselves at Duke University, Justin being a two-time all American. While together, they won back-to-back national titles in 2013-14. Once again, the duo will take the field, but in coaching gear instead of jerseys.
“Having a tie as close as a brother in the profession is very unique,” Justin Turri said. “I have always admired Kyle’s work ethic, energy, and the way in which he installs and directs a defense.”
The announcement for Kyle to join his brother came on July 20, ten days before the lacrosse program is hosting their ‘Red Storm ID Clinic’ for prospective student-athletes. Hosted at DaSilva Memorial Field, the home to the Red Storm, the camp is open to all players going into grades 10-12 — the years in which recruiting is at its greatest for Division I schools.
As per NCAA regulations, Division I and Division II college coaches are not allowed to contact student-athletes prior to September 1 of their junior year. However, eyes on our players their sophomore year, and through this camp the Johnnies will be able to check out players they otherwise would not be able to interact with. Naturally, head coach Turri would want his brother at his side for this crucial part of recruiting — he will be coaching at the ID Clinic, according to graduate assistant Kevin Wehner.
The camp is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and costs $175. Each player will receive a reversible jersey to wear that day, along with a t-shirt upon departure. Registration can be accessed through redstormsports.com.
