In an interview with The Herald-Sun of Durham, athletic director Joe Alleva said he told Pressler the team was under the microscope and “he had to do everything he could to get them in line.” When the AP asked to speak Alleva for this story, Duke officials referred questions to other members of the athletic department.

Duke has yet to start searching for a new coach and it’s unclear how many current players and incoming recruits will remain. Duke spokesman Art Chase said the school is allowing players and recruits to contact other schools.

“I don’t get the sense that people are thinking we’re not going to have a team next year,” Chase said. “But at the end of the day, we don’t know what will happen.”

Johns Hopkins has already received inquiries from a few Duke players and a recruit, spokesman Ernie Larossa said. Syracuse coach John Desko told The Syracuse Post Standard that Duke sophomore Zack Greer — who led the country with 57 goals last season — is seeking a release from Duke. But he won’t be joining the Orange.

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“I wouldn’t be interested in our coaches recruiting players from Duke, given the situation,” Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross told the newspaper. “I think it would be inappropriate.”

Under NCAA rules, lacrosse players can transfer once without having to sit out a season. But Atlantic Coast Conference rules require players to sit a year and lose a year of eligibility if they transfer within the league.

“I’ve advised them that it’s a good idea to at least see what their options are, although they all would prefer to stay here as far as I know,” said Chris Kennedy, Duke’s senior associate athletics director.

Hofstra coach John Danowski said he has received no inquiries from Duke players seeking a transfer. That would include his son, Matt, a Duke junior.

“They love the place,” Danowski said. “They feel strongly about who they are. They love each other. Why would they want to leave? The kids want to be there.

“The kids went to Duke because they wanted to get the best education they could get. ... That’s what Duke is and why they went there. The fact they were successful on the field was a bonus.”

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