On Tuesday, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced that Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team head coach Joe Spallina will become the next general manager of the California Redwoods.
Nat St. Laurent — the Redwoods’ former general manager and head coach — informed the California-based club that he would be stepping down from both positions. The PLL and the Redwoods are still searching for St. Laurent’s head coach replacement.
Spallina will become the second general manager in the PLL to not serve as head coach. As the league begins after the completion of the college lacrosse season, Spallina’s new job will not impact his current role with the Seawolves. He will not resign either.
This move marks a return to the professional lacrosse scene for Spallina, who previously served as the head coach and general manager of the Major Lacrosse League’s (MLL) New York Lizards from 2012 to 2018. During his tenure with the Lizards, Spallina claimed a league championship in 2015.
“I’m extremely honored to be named the general manager of the California Redwoods,” Spallina said in a press release. “Since stepping off the sideline as a head coach and general manager in the MLL, I’ve long admired the path the PLL has blazed for professional lacrosse. My goal is to turn the Redwoods into the premier destination in the PLL through strong draft strategy and player signings, adding to an already extremely talented roster. Brick by brick, a championship quality roster is on its way for Redwoods fans.”
The Redwoods finished 2024 with a 3-7 record, placing seventh in the eight-team PLL. To position his new team for title contention — a feat Spallina is well-versed in from his time at Stony Brook — he will need to make several moves but will receive help through the draft, where the Redwoods hold the second overall pick.
With the Seawolves, Spallina is undefeated in league play over the last 10 seasons, going 61-0 during that period between the America East Conference and the Coastal Athletic Association. Stony Brook currently holds the longest active winning streak over conference opponents across all NCAA Division I sports. He has also led the Seawolves to 11 NCAA Tournament berths since his hiring in 2012, making it as far as the Elite Eight three times.
