Bill Cosentino has recently joined the Keene State College (KSC) mens lacrosse coaching staff in New Hampshire, assuming the position of defensive coordinator with the team.
“I am absolutely thrilled about being able to coach at the college level,” said Cosentino. “I’m really looking forward to working with players who are experienced, eager to learn the game, and will devote themselves to the program.”
Cosentino brings a net full of playing and coaching experience with him to his new position. He grew up playing lacrosse at Levittown, earning All-Conference honors as a defender at Division Avenue High School. He went on to play at Plymouth State University where he was a four-year defensive starter.
As a junior, he finished in the Top 10 for ground balls in the Little East Conference and helped lead his senior Panther team to the championship game of the ECAC New England tournament.
Continuing to play after graduating, Cosentino played two years for the Bay State Lacrosse club in the American Lacrosse League and in 2008 started the Warpigs Lacrosse club, one of the top men’s postcollegiate teams in New England. The Warpigs have played in the national tournament the past two years.
“I’m really excited to add someone with Bill’s background to my staff,” said KSC Head Coach Mark Theriault. “During my time at Keene State I’ve had to coach both offensive and defensive groups. Last year we hired someone to coach the offense (Matt Griffin). Now I have an offensive and defensive coordinator and I will able to oversee both sides. Bill is young and energetic and exactly what I’m looking for as an assistant.”
Cosentino began coaching after graduating from Plymouth State. He spent four years as the assistant varsity coach at Concord (N.H.) High School, receiving the 2007 Assistant Coach of the Year Award from the NHIAA and the U.S. Lacrosse Association. While at Concord, he coached former Owl Kyle Bennett.
In 2010, he was hired as the boys varsity coach at Merrimack (N.H.) High, leading the team to its first winning season since 2001.
“I’m big into lacrosse in New Hampshire, so I’ve been following Keene State for a long time,” said Cosentino, who is also the owner and co-director of New England Elite Lacrosse. “I’m aware of the talent they are able to bring into the program and I’m excited to help them get to the next level. Being able to step into a program that has such a winning tradition is exciting.”
When not on the field, Cosentino is a sixth-grade teacher at the Rundlett Middle School in Concord, NH.
