Terry Sanderson lead the Toronto Rock to the National Lacrosse League title in 2005.AARON HARRIS
Terry Sanderson is returning to the Toronto Rock.
The Orangeville, Ont., native is leaving his job as assistant coach with the Calgary Roughnecks to become the new general manager of the Rock, a team he coached to a National Lacrosse League title in 2005.
Sanderson had been with the Roughnecks, who won the NLL championship this year, since the summer of 2007.
Wednesday's move comes a few days after Roughnecks head coach Troy Cordingley stepped down to be closer to his family in Oakville, Ont.
Roughnecks GM Brad Banister said it's challenging for teams in Western Canada to keep coaches from Eastern Canada.
"It's hard for coaches as well as teams to compete with cities that are logistically closer to where the coach's homes are situated," Banister said in a release. "It comes down to those teams being able to pay less in travel costs to fly in their coaches and in turn pay them a higher salary to make up the difference."
Prior to joining the Roughnecks, Sanderson was assistant coach of the Philadelphia Wings. He began his coaching career in 1999 as the Albany Attack's head coach and also spent time behind the bench in Montreal and Ottawa.
"Losing Terry is unfortunate, but we understand that he wants to be closer to his family," said Banister.
The Rock finished last in the East Division last season with a 6-10 record.