The first major, non-scandal ridden opening among the elite in college lacrosse in quite some time has been made official.

John Haus is out after eight seasons at North Carolina.

The case can be made that this is the biggest prize available since the Maryland job opened in September 2001 with the retirement of Dick Edell and the Terrapins' ensuing hire of Dave Cottle from Loyola. The Greyhounds then plucked Bill Dirrigl from Rutgers, and that didn't work out too well.

The notable jobs open in recent years were Duke (after the rape accusations in 2006), Hofstra (because John Danowski left for Duke) and Army (after Jack Emmer retired).

Carolina could be better than all of them. There is tradition. There are facilities. There is Chapel Hill, which is alluring for young and old alike.

It's amazing the Tar Heels haven't won an ACC game since 2004, an ACC tournament game since 1996 and an NCAA quarterfinal since 1993.

Maybe someone can change the direction of the program. Haus, despite back--to-back tournament appearances, wasn't the one to do it.

CHAPEL HILL --- John Haus will not return for his ninth season as head coach of the University of North Carolina men's lacrosse team.

"John and I have had several discussions in the days since the season ended and the result of those talks is that we agree a change is in the best interest of reaching the goals we all have for Carolina Lacrosse," says Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "John has spent the past eight years giving everything he had to our program. I have a great deal of respect for him as we arrive at this decision. John and his family love Chapel Hill and the University and it is regrettable a change had to happen. We are thankful to him for all he has given to his alma mater."

"I am disappointed to no longer be coaching at Carolina," says Haus. "We have built a solid foundation for future success, but this is the best way for the program to take that next step and I wish my successor the best in doing that. My family and I have really enjoyed the eight years we have spent in Chapel Hill. It was a great honor to coach here. I wish the young men who played for me nothing but the best."

Haus competes his tenure as Carolina's head coach with an overall record of 58-52. The Tar Heels went 8-6 and reached the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

--- Patrick Stevens