Alex Abrami

Free Press Staff Writer

Two days after leading the University of Vermont men's lacrosse team to its first America East title game in program history, coach Ryan Curtis is stepping down for family reasons, the school announced at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Curtis, who led the Catamounts for 10 seasons, has accepted a teaching and coaching position at Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut.

“I was given an opportunity to spend more time with my family, which was important to me,” said Curtis, who is married with two children. “As hard of a decision as it was, it was the right decision. My 10 years here have been great.”

UVM is fresh off its best season under Curtis. The Catamounts (9-8 overall, 4-2 in league play) won their first America East tournament game, beating Stony Brook in the semifinals on Thursday, before losing 17-16 to Hartford in the championship game on Saturday morning in Albany, New York.

“I think the time is right. I think we are leaving the program in a very good place, the foundation is very strong. The future is very bright,” Curtis said.

The offer from Westminster materialized recently, Curtis said.

“I wasn’t looking to leave, I wasn’t out looking for jobs,” Curtis said. “An opportunity kind of came up out of the blue. A better opportunity for my family.”

Athletic director Bob Corran, who is retiring at the end of this school year, said Curtis will be a hard to replace.

“I have a great deal of respect that he has come to this decision for the reasons that he did,” Corran said. “But still disappointed for us because we are losing a good person, losing a great coach.

“It’s really been very gratifying for me to see the progress that he has made, particularly over the last two, three years. This is a tough farewell.”

Hired in September 2006, Curtis compiled a 48-101 overall record, which included 16-36 against league foes. But Curtis’ Catamounts went 4-2 in league in each of the past two seasons, making the conference tournament both times, a program first.

“I feel like I have done my job. I think I was hired to try and build this program back up and I think we are in a great spot,” said Curtis, the 2015 league coach of the year. “I think we are going to be better next year.”

Ian MacKay (league offensive player of the year), Cam Milligan (all-league second team), Jack Knight (all-rookie) and Dawes Milchling (all-rookie) are among the players returning next year.

“I told the guys, when I met with them, I will be happier than anyone else when they win the conference next year,” Curtis said. “I think they can do it and I think all the pieces are there and, more important, the culture is there.”

Curtis, who signed an extension in June 2014, leaves with two years left on his contract. His salary for the 2015-16 school year was $83,315, according to UVM records.

UVM said it plans to begin a nationwide search immediately for Curtis’ replacement.

This story was originally published on May 9, 2016. Contact Alex Abrami at 660-1848 or aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabrami5



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