LAS VEGAS (June 2, 2026) - Looking to continue their rapid ascent following the most successful season in franchise history, the Las Vegas Desert Dogs are elevating Shawn Williams into the role of Head Coach and President of Lacrosse Operations, while elevating Cody Moll to General Manager.
Williams and Cody will work in tandem in their new roles with each reporting independently to team ownership and Desert Dogs CEO Paul Speaker.
The Desert Dogs made great strides in 2025-26, doubling their win total from the previous season. They finished the year in a tie for the National Lacrosse League’s final playoff spot, but lost the tiebreaker that would have seen the team make its first-ever trip to the postseason.
Williams previously served as head coach and general manager while Moll had been the team’s assistant general manager, and both are ecstatic about the opportunity that lies ahead.
“The evolution of our team is occurring both on and off the floor," said Williams. "Cody is an incredibly passionate and accomplished executive who will be adding another layer to his role in guiding our direction as a team. Our plan has always been centered around bringing a championship to Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with Cody to make that happen.”
Under Williams direction, the Desert Dogs scored a league-leading 219 goals this season. They were led by the 1-2 punch of Jonathan Donville and Mitch Jones, who both reached triple digits in points, ranking eighth and ninth in the NLL, respectively. Donville racked up 105 points on 27 goals and a team-leading 78 assists, while Jones found the back of the net 35 times to go along with 69 helpers for 104 points. And ranking third on the squad with 83 points was Chris Cloutier, who scored a team-leading 40 goals to go along with 43 assists.
Cloutier and Jones were both free agents signed by Williams and Moll prior to the 2025-26 season, while the duo also recently signed forward Adam Poitras to a five-year contract extension, the longest contract tenured in franchise history.
“I’m incredibly honored for the opportunity to serve as General Manager of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs,” said Moll. “From day one, Shawn’s and my goal has been to build more than just a competitive team — we wanted to build a first-class organization that players want to be part of, fans are proud to support and the city of Las Vegas can believe in. We will continue pushing every area of the organization forward with urgency, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to winning.”
The excitement generated on the field transcended into the Las Vegas community and it was clearly felt by opponents who visited the Lee’s Family Forum to face the Desert Dogs. The team won a franchise-record six home games, going 6-3 inside the Lee’s Family Forum, and it routinely played in front of crowds that were at or near capacity.
“It’s an unbelievably exciting time to be a fan of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs,” added Speaker. “Shawn and Cody have done an incredible job of building this team from the ground up and you can feel that excitement permeating from the players, the fans and throughout the entire community.”
