MADISON, N.J. (April 21, 2017) – Throughout 34 years of collegiate coaching, those who got to know Drew University head men's lacrosse coach Thomas Leanos are well aware that he's a master storyteller, a man of many inspirational words, and an artist with analogies.
 
When it came time to announce his retirement to a roomful of colleagues late in the 2017 spring season, he could only manage three words.
 
"It's been great."
 
In one emotional moment, Coach Leanos attempted to squeeze a legendary career packed with 250 wins, championship titles, rollercoaster reactions, All-Americans and over 300 student-athletes into a single statement. It simply wasn't possible, and that realization cut his statement short with a choked-up breath. It was all we needed to hear.
 
Leanos has announced that he will step down from the helm of the Drew University Rangers at the end of the 2017 season. He will retire from full-time coaching following 253 wins (and counting), two conference championships and six ECAC championships. He has been Drew's lacrosse coach since 1988, and a college coach since 1980.
 
"I've been very blessed to be able to make a living doing something that I thoroughly love," Leanos said. "It was never like going to work. There are a lot of people who may be envious of the life coaches lead. Working with young people is inspiring, challenging at times, but you look for the opportunities when the light bulb goes on. When it goes on, it really gives you a good feeling.
 
"It's been a great ride. I loved it; every bit of it."
 
At the beginning of 2017, Leanos was ranked 20^th among active coaches across all divisions of the NCAA with 247 wins. In Division III, he was ranked 11^th among active coaches. All-time in Division III, Leanos ranked 18^th.
 
Leanos is an inductee to the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame and an active member of the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association, with which he hopes to maintain a relationship during Hall of Fame and All-America voting.
 
Leanos does not yet have specific plans for retirement, but one thing he knows for sure is that he'll never leave the lacrosse community.
 
"I don't think I'll ever be done with lacrosse," he said. "I am looking forward to enjoying my favorite months of the year, September and October. It's a common fact that lacrosse coaches have the ugliest lawns in the neighborhood because they have games every weekend. It will be nice to catch up on the little things."
 
Leanos' final home game at Ranger Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, April 29 at 2:45 p.m. against Susquehanna University. Drew Athletics invites each of his alumni to the game to see Coach T in action one more time. There will be an additional celebration for Coach Leanos to be announced shortly.
 
By the Numbers
250+ Wins
2 Conference Championships
6 ECAC Championships
5 Coach of the Year Awards
5 of his teams earned the prestigious Frenchy Julien Memorial Sportsmanship Award from the District III Lacrosse Officials Association.
98 All-Conference players
4 Conference MVP's
6 USILA All-Americans
 
The Moments
In his words, here are the Top 5 "moments" of his career.

1. The night I went out in the summer of 1983, my first year at Drew. We went out to a hot spot in Morristown, and I happened to notice a young lady with crystal blue eyes that I absolutely couldn't take my eyes off of. Her name is Karen, and she became my wife. We always say to the kids to look for opportunities, to take advantage of opportunities. That was probably the best opportunity I ever took advantage of.
2. Dick Szlasa, Drew's Director of Athletics and men's lacrosse coach from 1983-87, brought me here in 1983 from Southampton College to be an assistant. I learned so much and was fortunate enough to be named head coach in 1988.
3. The opportunity to meet some great people, particularly the student-athletes who come in learning to be men, and making some mistakes along the way. Watching them learn how to correct those mistakes, then seeing them with their own families and children is amazing. I'm actually now recruiting children of players that I used to coach. That may be a sign it's time to retire.
4. The guys that I've worked under and worked with. Thank you to all my assistant coaches. You don't do well unless you have good people working with you. Like anything else, you have to have support. We have insecurities, so it's good to be able to talk to someone who has a fresh set of eyes. They have often steered me in the right direction.
5. Learning not to make emotional decisions. It took me a while. When you're younger, you're more emotional and that's one of the things that fires you up. It could be a good thing sometimes, but I learned the value of simply sleeping on something because you get a different perspective the next day. It's all about a sense of balance.