CREVE COEUR – Joe Douglas, who guided the De Smet lacrosse program to four consecutive state championship appearances, culminating in the 2023 state title, has decided to step away from head coaching duties with the Spartans.
Douglas, who has been at the helm for the Spartans since 2015, cited increased, overseas travel responsibilities with his job at Purina, saying it would be, “too hard on my family to continue to coach.” He plans to remain involved as a part-time assistant and through organizing the Spartans’ middle school program.
Tim Hessel, who has been an assistant on the De Smet staff since 2015, will take over head coaching responsibilities on an interim basis.
Douglas won two lacrosse state titles as a player at De Smet in 2001 and 2002, and took over the program as head coach in 2015, where he compiled a 121-51 record in 10 seasons. In 2021, his Spartans defeated MICDS 8-7 in overtime to end the Rams’ 99-game winning streak against teams from Missouri – a streak that began in 2014.
From 2016-2024, Douglas led De Smet to eight consecutive state semifinals and guided the Spartans into the state title game in four successive seasons from 2019-2023.
In 2023, De Smet defeated MICDS 11-9 in the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Association state title game to snap the Rams eight-year run as state champions.
“I’m proud to have played for the program and to have been able to continue the traditions as head coach,” Douglas said.
Douglas received the honor of Missouri Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2019 and Missouri Lacrosse Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013.
Photo gallery of De Smet’s 2023 state title game victory over MICDS: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/2024-Boys-Lacrosse/Boys-Lacrosse-2023/De-Smet-vs-MICDS-state-title-2023