The Philadelphia Waterdogs have made one of the most intriguing moves in the early stages of the PLL offseason, naming Dave Cottle as their new general manager.
For a team looking to return to its championship form, Cottle’s hiring represents a significant step forward.
The three-time MLL champion, National Lacrosse Hall of Famer and longtime architect of winning programs brings more than four decades of experience and a proven track record of building balanced, championship-caliber rosters.
Cottle joins forces with head coach Bill Tierney, creating one of the most decorated leadership duos in the sport.
The addition of Cottle gives Tierney something not every coach has at this level — the freedom to focus fully on the on-field product. In a league where player movement, contract negotiations and midseason scouting are constant, that balancing act can wear even the most seasoned coach thin.
With Cottle now handling roster management, Tierney can devote more attention to film study, practice structure and other weekly tasks. The two will collaborate closely, but Cottle’s presence will take the administrative strain off Tierney’s shoulders.
Beyond the practical benefits, Cottle’s hiring brings a fresh perspective to roster construction.
Up front, the team boasts last year’s first overall pick, CJ Kirst, and 2025 MVP finalist Michael Sowers, while a young, promising defense and deep midfield provide a strong foundation. But the roster also has areas that need attention, from the rotating door at goalie to a faceoff unit that has won fewer than 50% of draws in each of the past two seasons.
Cottle’s addition could be just the push the Waterdogs need to iron out the final rough spots in this roster. And there’s evidence this kind of front-office investment works.
In 2024, both the California Redwoods (Joe Spallina) and the Carolina Chaos (Spencer Ford) added general managers to their organizations.
The Redwoods saw the biggest turnaround, climbing from near the bottom of the standings to within one game of their second-ever PLL Championship appearance. The Waterdogs experienced a similar shift in success last season without a designated GM, losing to the eventual champion New York Atlas in the semifinals.
If the Redwoods’ rise proves anything, it’s that a clearly defined general manager role can sway a team’s trajectory. The Waterdogs have the potential to set an example for the rest of the league, showing how an added piece in the front office could go a long way.
As GM, Cottle will need to make some early decisions when the new player movement period opens on Wednesday, Dec. 17. During that window — which closes Jan. 16 — players may sign Championship Series-only or multi-year contracts, and Cottle will have the chance to address key roster needs.
The list of Waterdogs players on expiring contracts includes short-stick defensive midfielders Matt Whitcher and Christian Scarpello, faceoff specialist Alec Stathakis, and midfielder Thomas McConvey.
