Lacrosse Coaching Carousel for D2 (Part 1)

Intro

SPEAKER_03 0:29

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another episode of In the Greeks with Danny and Kevin of Coast to Coast discussion of D2 Metacross. I'm your co-host, Kevin Sentrum, and with me as always is the catalyst of D2 Lacrosse, Danny Morant.

SPEAKER_02 0:45

Oh, that's a good one, Kev. I don't know if I'm the catalyst of D2 Lacrosse. I don't know about that.

SPEAKER_03 0:51

You always get things going, Danny. You always get things going. You're that chemical reaction that gets things going.

SPEAKER_02 0:57

Well, I appreciate that, sir. How's everything going tonight in Northern Virginia, my friend?

SPEAKER_03 1:02

It's going great. It's going great. You know, we're kicking off our series of the coaching carousel episodes. Uh-oh.

SPEAKER_02 1:16

Coach's carousel music. Yeah, and round we go. Here we go. And as we know, Kevin, every year there's new coaches that take over programs, and there's new programs that come in. And, you know, it's part of the job is uh watching coaches come and go in this business. When we first started this look uh this lacrosse podcast of ours, we didn't realize how many coaches really do change on a year-to-year basis. But this year, not so many. So that's what I was gonna say, Danny.

SPEAKER_03 1:47

Here's this is the first year since we've been doing this that we're under double digits. There's only nine changes from what I count this year. Three of them, Danny, are still have interim coaches, so we're not gonna have them on. Both it's Pace, we had Coach Mariano on, who was there, Pace, Dominican of California, and Stack. There are six that have been named new head coaches and designated, the the schools have designated them. Four of those will join us on the podcast, and we'll be doing just two episodes, which is tiny. We're usually doing four. We're doing two episodes this time, and it's usually like three per. But two of them weren't able to get on, and that is from Mars Hill and Shorter. That's uh so we wish them well this year. We just they just couldn't work out their schedules. Uh for Mars Hill, it's Griffin Steckmiller, he actually has been the assistant for the past five years and now takes over the reins. So like we'll talk to some of the coaches in the next couple days, next couple episodes rather, that brings a lot of continuity when you have that that kind of a thing uh coach coming in who's been there, right?

SPEAKER_02 2:59

Absolutely, you know, and uh we'll see. Too bad he couldn't come on. I mean, he doesn't know what he's missing.

SPEAKER_03 3:05

Yeah, and then there's then for shorter is Coach Jordan Coates. He's actually a shorter alum, and he's coming from being the head coach at Point University. So that's really good to see that that shorter's got a person in there. As you probably remember, last year, Danny, the coach, the acting coach, was actually a player. And then the year before that, they had to cancel. So let's see if this gets their momentum going and gets someone in there. Let's hope so. Let's hope. Yeah. But with that, Danny, let's just get into it and bring in our first guest. Yeah, I'm excited.

Coach Alex Williams of Barry

SPEAKER_03 3:42

All right, Danny. We're starting this series off with an old friend but a new program. Coach Alex Williams with the Barrie University Buccaneers. A brand new program joining the Sunshine State.

SPEAKER_02 3:58

Yes, yes. We love it.

SPEAKER_03 4:00

Can't wait to see them. And of course, co coach Williams with us right now has some real D2 creds. Player at Roberts Wesleyan, also coach there.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

Four years, starter there, four years.

SPEAKER_03 4:12

Then moved on and was an assistant at Frostburg before he took the head coaching job at St. Rose. That's the first time we had him on the pod.

SPEAKER_02 4:21

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 4:22

Then after St. Rose close, he was the assistant and then the associate head coach at Lander before the announced as taking over this brand new program as a head coach a year ago at Barrie to crank this program up. And like I said, he's no stranger to the pod. We've had him on as a coach and a guest analyst. In fact, Danny, he joked that he hopes this is the last time he's on the coaching carousel.

SPEAKER_02 4:48

I hope so too.

SPEAKER_03 4:50

Hey coach, welcome.

SPEAKER_02 4:51

Welcome, Coach Williams.

SPEAKER_01 4:53

What's up, guys? I know, I know. I thought about that conversation we had, uh, Kevin, and I was like, I don't this doesn't want to be my last time on the on the pod. You know, hopefully it's the last episode of a season one of these days. But uh, but yeah, hopefully the last time of the coaching carousel.

SPEAKER_03 5:07

Yeah, you want us on as one as the last team to be on the on the on the pod that that that season.

SPEAKER_01 5:14

That's the goal, man. Absolutely. But I appreciate you guys having me. Excited to uh to catch up again. You know, it's always a blast.

SPEAKER_03 5:21

Yeah, so talk to us about your D2 coaching journey. We know that after St. Rose, you know, you were looking for a new head coaching position. You went to Lander. Talk us through that and then walk us through why Barry.

SPEAKER_01 5:35

Yeah, great question. And real quick, I just want to note uh not only did I play at Roberts, but I was a part of the first recruiting class. Um, so that was like my that was my first uh you know kind of intro into starting a program and and my first spark into what became you know uh a career goal of mine, and which I get to live out every day right now. So um I just wanted to, you know, shout that out. Um, you know, and uh yeah, so you know, when St. Rose closed um that final year, we you know we were fortunate enough to have 41 out of 52 players stay for that final season. And when that opportunity, you know, you know, you know, that chapter closed, you know, started looking at other opportunities. There was some some head coaching opportunities at the division two at division three level, and and even uh you know had a couple conversations as you know division one assistant. But um, I kept going back to my conversations with Coach Lapore. You know, him and I known each other for a long time. Um, I've got a lot of respect for him. He's an upstate New York guy like myself from Hilton, New York, inside you know, one of the suburbs of Rochester, and uh goes back to his time as associate head coach at at Belmont Abbey. And when I was coaching at um at Roberts, I actually interviewed with him and and Coach Barrett uh for an assistant spot and just didn't quite work out, but always stayed in touch. And um, you know, when he offered me the opportunity to join him at uh at Lander um, you know, as associate head coach and offensive coordinator, I I uh the hardest thing I had to do was convince my wife to uh pass on the other opportunities and and you know leave her uh teaching job in New York and and move down to South Carolina, but um it was it was an amazing experience to and learned a lot and um it definitely helped project me to you know to where we are now um here at Barrie.

SPEAKER_03 7:24

So what drew you to this school, to Barrie University?

SPEAKER_01 7:28

Yeah, uh great question. So um, you know, I've heard that Barrie was looking to add men's lacrosse as early as like 2018. You know, it was one of those schools, it was one of those schools that was always in the rumor mill of you know looking to add, you know, and um, you know, and so you know, those late nights just kind of scrolling through the forums or you know, you know, you know, looking up D2 schools that have had success, and could they be could be they could be a cool spot? Um I always said like hey, this would be really cool. Um, you know, the Barrie is you know fourth all time in division two and national championships. You know, we have over 30 national championships, over 150 conference championships. There's only two true blue blood programs that um haven't won at least one national championship. And um, and um, and so that's um you know, that's pretty, you know, that's special, right? You know, that kind of just shows the level of support here. And um, you know, and and so you know, that paired with the the vision of the administrators um and um just the opportunity to once again, like I mentioned, it's always been a goal of mine to start a program from scratch, and um you know that kind of led me to to this opportunity.

SPEAKER_02 8:38

I I lived in South Florida, I know where Barry's college is. I was there back in the day when I was a young man, they had quite the basketball program. Yeah. And uh one of the kids that lived in my neighborhood, his dad was an assistant basketball coach at Barry's, so we used to go to the games for like nothing, you know, back in the day. So I know the college, it's in a beautiful part of Miami, like you said, only a couple of miles from the beach. It's not gonna be hard to get recruits to come there, coach. How has it gone now that you're into fall ball? You got your squad, because last time we spoke, you got you guys together, but you couldn't get on the field. You guys were like itching, you know. So now you're on the field. Tell us what it's like. How's it looking?

SPEAKER_01 9:18

Yeah, it's it's been fun, it's been interesting. I give them a lot of credit, you know. They um you know they've been working hard. Uh we have we you know, we have 52 players on the roster. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Yeah, 31 freshmen and uh and 21 transfers. So wow. Um it's a it's a it's a great mix of of guys as well with experience um from all over. Um and it's it's you know, we had to, you know, the first team meeting, obviously, you know, you have your rules and expectations, all that, but the first lacrosse meeting, you know, we had to talk about the standards of how how are we going to start practice, right? Like we had to teach them how to stretch, right? You know, we've never done that before. And so um just just like those little details every day and what the standard and the expectations are, and um, you know, really fortunate to have some great friends and mentors that have started programs, like obviously Coach Lapore at Lander, um, you know, Coach Mitchell at Anderson, Coach Lang at Monteval, Coach Peruzzi at Lewis, obviously Coach Delfino um is uh you know, uh known him since I was 16. Um so a lot of great guys to be able to lean on and and you know soundboard off of. And so um that's been a lot of help too as we've as we've gotten started. But you know, fallball's been great. You know, we just had our first scrimmage actually yesterday yesterday. Um, so it was really good to, you know, so over the last four or five weeks, you know, the culmination of everything we put together and and then you know make sure you know we learned how to get on the bus, you know, not forget anything. We got all the ball buckets, all that good stuff, and um, and then go out and run and run our systems and and get it all on film. And and uh, you know, obviously it you know, got some things to improve on, you know, got some really good moments and um and learned a lot while we were while we were doing it.

SPEAKER_03 10:56

That's awesome to hear. That is just so funny to hear like make sure we get everything on the bus. Do we have all the ball buckets? Like all these little things that you I would never think of, right?

SPEAKER_02 11:04

It's so right, it's so funny about these things sometimes. As parents, we don't, you know. Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

SPEAKER_03 11:10

You were you remember having to do it for one or two? You probably several children. I really won and like, oh, I forgot my cup. Oh, I forgot my stick. What do you mean you forgot your stick? We're three hours into the trip, you know. Like, but uh so being multiply that by 52.

SPEAKER_02 11:26

My son Joey, he forgot stuff all the time. You forgot your stick, your stick, yeah, of all the things, like oh well anyway, I digress.

SPEAKER_03 11:35

That's so funny. I I was looking at your roster and I was curious, coach, on your philosophy. We've had other coaches on and said, I'm gonna have all freshmen, I'm gonna start with that, start with that. You have a really, like you said, 31 freshmen, 20 some, 21 uh transfers, a lot from D2, a lot from D2, and a few even from D1 programs. So, what's your philosophy on kind of building that that roster?

SPEAKER_01 12:02

Yeah, I think it goes with our overall like recruiting philosophy, right? Um, you know, we want to build our program uh with like programmed guys with a core group, right? Every class, you know, and so um, you know, talking to our families that I I like this isn't college basketball. Like I share this isn't college basketball, this isn't college football. Like we aren't looking to turn over the roster every year. We need core guys, four-year guys, you know, potentially five years, uh, that have been in the program that can, you know, have been through and and set the standard, the expectations, the culture, have been through the adversity, have have built that together. And then from there, we want to build, you know, and and use the transfers as a resource and and um and filling needs. And I thought it was really important to do that in this first class. And so we went out and got uh the most talented uh 26s, those incoming first years that was we could, and then you know, filling those rosters, the the rest of the roster with with experience. And I think it was important too to not only just load up on you know you know two-year or or grad transfers, but try and balance out the classes as quickly as possible and and and get a pr a different perspective, you know. Like you mentioned, we know we do have you know three or four division one transfers. You know, one of those young men played at Stonebrook and competed in the CAA championship against Towson in the NCAA tournament, right? You know, we've got multiple uh you know um you know junior college players, you know, from Essex and from you know from Nassau, um, and you know, with experience of you know competing for a JUCO national championship, and that's their standard. And we have young men from talented programs that have won multiple state championships or you know, um guys that PG'd and so a variety of different experiences and and helping pull from all those two to you know set our standards, set our culture and learn from those experiences, both positive and negative. And um, you know, that that's just the ultimate goal that we're looking to do in every class. Um, you know, and um I I hope that answers your question.

SPEAKER_02 13:59

Yeah, it's excellent, excellent answer. Absolutely. Um, you know, I think it's good to have that little mix of seasoned veterans and new guys, especially a new program. I mean, to have 52 on the roster out of the gate as a new program is usually not the case. It's usually in the maybe high 20s, maybe, you know, some of these programs. And for you to have 52, I think you're have a little bit of a head starter more than a lot of new programs. You're gonna be in the Sunshine State conference. That's quite the conference, coach. Those guys ball out down there in the South now.

SPEAKER_01 14:34

They do, they do, and uh that was um you know one of our you know focuses in terms of you know why we do have the roster that we do. Um, you know, my first day here was October 20th, which is you know pretty a pretty late start, you know, in full transparency and starting a program, uh, but for for for good measure, right? Um and for good reasoning in terms of the the long interview process. But when I finally did get out here, um, you know, close with a lot of these coaches down here, and um, you know, I just picked their brain and asked them questions about you know, what are things that I might not have thought about coaching in the northeast or the mid-Atlantic or the Southeast. And um, you know, a lot of it was one, the schedule, right? You know, it's it's very similar to what I'm used to in the NE 10, and then our out of conference at lander. We played majority sack schools and then the upper uh conference Carolinas and even played some Sunshine State teams. So um, you know, you got to have that depth, got to have that experience, like you said, you know. Um, and I think it's important to have that, and it's hot, right? Like, you know, we're not gonna run away from it, you know. Uh you you saw last year during the national championship run against Tampa, like they talk a lot about no shade in May, and um, and so you gotta be prepared for for you know the temperature and the climate that we play in, and and so depth is important just for our daily practices and you know being able to practice and and compete the way we want to, um, not just on game day. So excellent.

SPEAKER_03 15:58

Yeah, it was interesting too. I was looking at your uh out of conference schedule, and you're bringing back some and you're bringing some NET NE 10 programs, excuse me, down to your home turf. Southern New Hampshire.

SPEAKER_01 16:17

Is our schedule out?

SPEAKER_03 16:18

Yeah, it's on your website. I saw it today.

SPEAKER_01 16:22

Oh, all right. Well, that's good. Yes, we are um we are, you know, Coach. Yeah, I didn't I didn't know it was released, but that's cool. Um yes, we are Coach Hawkins and and Coach Um you know Alex Smith reached out and obviously have tremendous respect for them. And um, you know, as you could imagine, um like the other Sunshine State schools, like there are a lot of teams that that want to come down for you know February and spring break. And so we were able to be pretty strategic in in how we schedule to to build an out-of-conference schedule to give us a nice on-ramp to to what we'll what we'll see in conference. And then obviously with Flagler joining the conference next year, right? Have some familiarity with coach Coach Duncan and what he does at with that program in a lot of respects. So we wanted to make sure to get him on the schedule, you know, this year as well. So um, you know, we're really excited about that and um looking forward. I you know, I text Coach Smith, you know, I was like, sure, like you know, when Alex and I were going back about adding St. Mike's, I was like, yeah, let's do it. You know, that was our old rival. Um, you know, a lot of our games went to overtime or just competitive games at St. Rose and um you know joked about that. And then I see him make the NCAA tournament and everything. I was like, ah, coach, I don't know if I can I don't know if we can swing this, but uh, it's all I was really excited to see the season that they had because I know how hard he works, and and we're really excited to be able to host them and um the other teams on our schedule this spring.

SPEAKER_02 17:44

You know what? It's good to see those the that echelon of the NE10 make the trip south. You you don't see that a lot. You'll see maybe the Adelphis, maybe a pace will come down, you know. Uh, but now to see Southern New Hampshire come down and see St. Mike's who put out a great season together last year. Coach Smith really did a great job with those guys. I think them coming down to the south is is great for Division II. And it's gonna be great for the boys at Barry. They're gonna get to see some really good competition early. And uh, you know what they say, iron sharpens iron, right?

SPEAKER_01 18:20

Absolutely. And and I think you're gonna start hopefully start seeing it more now with our new NPI model. Like the the regionalization doesn't shouldn't matter as much. If you put together the best schedule and you know you're successful, it it's gonna lead to the you know opportunities in the NCA tournament. So hopefully the regions don't don't hold as much weight as they did in in years past. So hopefully you see it. But yeah, 100% we're we're excited. You know, we're yes, it's a first-year program, and you know, maybe our schedule is a little little heavy, but you know, we're our our mission, our mission doesn't change. We're here to build a championship caliber program and compete at the highest level, but take it one day at a time and not overlook, you know, just be the very best in that moment that we can be.

SPEAKER_02 19:02

So that's that's for future recruits. Sorry, Kevin, but for future recruits and Barry, Miami is a great city. There's so much to do there. There's so many different things to do for kids to you know find that social life, you know, and and be at a great school like Barry. Like I said, you know, Barry's been around a long time, you know. They might be new to Division II minutes across, but the institution's been around a long time. Like you said, they put a lot of championship teams together over the years. So I don't think it's gonna take you very long, Coach, to really get this thing moving. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:37

Yeah, I just I I have to ask this question, Coach. Uh well, first of all, you you know we think about you and and what you've done along the way and at St. Rose and at Atlanta from what last where we really know you from from being on the podcast, but what kind of you talked about a little bit just now of like, hey, you know, tough schedule, new program. What kind of expectations are you trying to set? Maybe not and I'm not talking personally, what are you talking to your players about? What are you trying to set as a new program and expectations for the season? Is it is it more of a day-to-day thing and just improve each day, or are you trying to set some expectations on what you're gonna do out on the field?

SPEAKER_01 20:21

Yeah, uh that's a great question, Kevin. You know, I I share with all of our recruits, all of our families, you know, my expectations of the program, they don't change, whether it's year one or year 35, man, and they're wheeling me out of here in a wheelchair, right? It's it's that we compete. It's a we compete in everything we do, on and off the field, right? Um, you know, we take it you know one day at a time, you know, we don't overlook you know the big picture, you know, just have that single day mindset, right? And be the very best we can be in that moment. And I know if we can do that, you know, we'll be really proud of the outcome at the end of the year when we look back on it. Um, you know, in the same breath, like what what is the mission here? You know, you know, our expectations are to compete. Well, our mission is here is to compete for a conference championship, you know, and the ultimate goal of you know the NCAA tournament and a national championship because they go hand in hand. And and so, you know, I'll again we're not naive that we are a brand new program, and and so um, you know, it doesn't can't just jump, jump all the way there. We got to work hard every day, you know, just take it one day at a time and and just focus on being the best we can be in that moment. And um, you know, we look for guys that are are are still the same mindset, you know, might be changing universities, but the mindset doesn't change. Like we want blue-collar hard-working guys, guys that you know have a chip on their shoulder, guys that play with an edge, and and uh are great teammates that take pride in the program, take pride in their teammates, that want to see their teammates be successful, that want to see the program, you know, be successful and and that care. You know, you gotta love what we do, and um you know, lacrosse should be the best two hours of our day. And um, and so that's you know, kind of the the overall message, you know. And from there, yeah, we have our internal goals, you know, we have our internal expectations and our standards um that that drive those goals. And you know, we we talk about that on Daily basis while we build great habits, you know, daily habits, and um, and hopefully ultimately at the end, those lead us to you know where we're trying to be.

SPEAKER_03 22:10

I tell you what, every time I talk to him, Danny, I I feel like I should be playing lacrosse and join the program. But because of five for five, I have no eligibility left. We aged out. We aged all time ago.

SPEAKER_01 22:22

I feel yeah. Well, you guys are always welcome. I I told you, like on our last talk, we should, you know, we should get you down to the convention, have you do like a Pat McAfee type of you know, uh open, open you know, podcast as we stroll through. And they wouldn't let me in the door, Coach. Oh they'd be like, who are you? No, they uh I think they'd let you in, and you know, I'm sure there'd be plenty of uh beverages you know bought for you guys.

SPEAKER_03 22:44

But it's it's funny, coach. Every year when I see uh you know clips of that the convention going on down there with the IMC Lea, I I always am like, dang, I wish I could have, you know, it's always I'm always a day late and a dollar short on that one, but it would be fun to do.

SPEAKER_01 23:01

Yeah, because you know you you go, you have a couple conversations, maybe do that, you know, do the uh you know the preseason you know um conference previews, and then you Danny hits the lazy river, you know, maybe uh does some good nighttime golfing, you know.

SPEAKER_02 23:17

Definitely that's right up my alley, brother. There you go.

SPEAKER_03 23:21

Yeah, we'll definitely have to think of it, but coach, really appreciate you coming on. This has been a lot of fun. Always great to have you on and and find out what's going on. I'm really excited about Barry joining D2 lacrosse program and joining the Sunshine State, and can't wait to see them play.

SPEAKER_01 23:39

Awesome. Thank you guys. It's always a blast. Um I'm always here, you know. Love love to get on and and I keep, you know, I know Danny, you know, now that you're in retirement, you know, please keep doing what you're doing. Don't stop. We we appreciate you know your uh what you guys do for our sport and our our division, and um, you know, looking forward to uh to continuing to have these conversations in the future. Oh, we will, we will.

SPEAKER_02 24:01

I'm not going anywhere. Coach Alex Williams, the Barry Buccaneers. Thank you so much for coming in tonight.

SPEAKER_01 24:08

Thanks, guys. Appreciate you.

Coach Kyle DiCrispino of Walsh

SPEAKER_03 24:10

All right, Danny, you see, we have our next guest with us. Some connective tissue between Coach Williams and our next guest, as both spent time at Lander.

SPEAKER_02 24:21

Yeah, with Coach Lapore, yes, right.

SPEAKER_03 24:23

And this coach, though, was a player there.

SPEAKER_02 24:27

And a good one, Kev. Very good player. Very good one. That team was good. You guys had some boys on that squad. Go ahead. Go ahead, Kev.

SPEAKER_03 24:37

Yeah, I know that's good. Well, now he's taking over. This is Kyle D. Crespino. He's taken over as the head coach of the Walsh Cavaliers.

SPEAKER_02 24:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 24:46

Oh, he is not new to Walsh, though. He was two years as an assistant before taking over for David Salter. And like I said, he has other D2 pedigree coming from being a player at Lanter. So, coach, welcome in. How you doing?

SPEAKER_00 25:03

Coach Crispino, how are you doing? Doing well, guys. Yeah, fired up to be fired up to be on here.

SPEAKER_02 25:09

You know, I think it's thanks for taking the time tonight. We really appreciate it. So, two years at Walsh as an assistant, and now you're the head coach. Lot of lot of big changes in the last couple of years, huh, coach?

SPEAKER_00 25:24

Yeah, I mean, you know, I definitely didn't think, you know, I'd be here uh, you know, four through what, three, four years ago when I finished up playing at Lander. And um, you know, definitely even further before then, you know, definitely didn't think I'd be up here. And um, but you know, absolutely love it, you know, love the area, love the team, love the school. Um, you know, was thrilled when I came up here um 2024 to be the assistant. And you know, I'm just glad to keep things rolling and um you know, just fired up to be here.

SPEAKER_03 25:53

That's awesome. Did you want to become a coach or was it like just uh or was it just like you you got uh a call from Coach Salter, like, hey, you want to come up here and and coach me? Because he used to be a coach at l at lander, right?

SPEAKER_00 26:07

Yeah, yeah. So um, yeah, Coach Salter, he he was like my I would say like primary recruiter um to go down to Lander for grad school at first. Like he's who I first uh first spoke to. So um that's where I you know obviously met him. And then um, you know, kind of when I got down to Lander, um, you know, at that point when I'm when you're in your fifth and sixth years of playing, you're like, well, I don't know if I can ever get out of lacrosse. So uh, you know, uh kind of during my fifth year, I started to have like the you know the itch a little bit. And then, you know, once I got into my sixth year, once um, you know, Coach Salter took the job up here, you know, me and him would have some discussions about like, you know, when I finished up playing, if I wanted to, you know, maybe come coach at all. And you know, kind of just thought about that as the year went on. And um, and yeah, you know, once it once it ended up, I was you know super lucky that that you know he needed a offensive coordinator at the time. And um, you know, really I I couldn't have thought of a better like person to you know be under than than him to start off as a coach. Um so to me it was no brainer. You know, I've it's funny and I I always say this on recruiting calls, like I've never even been to Ohio until I took the job up here. So um that was that was really cool. And um, you know, I mean, as I said, like I I'd love it up here. Like I really um I I honestly couldn't have asked for a better uh you know way to get up here and like you know, person to learn under at the time than you know Coach Salter.

SPEAKER_03 27:35

So I I was gonna ask you that because I really think that he revitalized and established Waltz as a strong program. So what have you learned from him as a head coach that you're kind of gonna take with you now that you've taken the reins?

SPEAKER_00 27:50

Yeah, I mean he's he's just done a fantastic job here. I think um as I said, I really couldn't think of anyone else better to learn under with it, you know, as my first um you know spot coaching. You know, what I'm super you know grateful for is you know how much you know uh freedom he gave me as a coach to you know try new things and you know to fail, really honestly. Like, you know, especially my first year, like I mean I failed so much with a lot of different things. Um and and it was great as he just he had a lot of belief in me. Um, you know, he had a lot of belief in you know my IQ. And um, you know, I just I kind of had to learn the fly with a lot of things, and you know, his his faith in me kind of just it made me think that I could could do it. And um, you know, again, I'm just super grateful for that. And you know, I mean what he's done here, like, you know, I I always say, like, if um, you know, at the time, like when he recruited me to Lander, like, you know, I was telling you guys earlier, I wasn't super familiar with the D2 scene. So, you know, I I haven't heard a lot about Lander at the time. And you know, I always thought like, okay, if he if he could convince me to, you know, ultimately go to a school that at the time I didn't hear it before, like, that's someone I would have learned how to recruit from, too. And you know, I I always think that you know, Coach Salter is probably you know the best recruiter out there. Um, you know, I I just think he does a great job with that, and that's where I feel like I got to learn a lot too, is the recruiting aspect from him. So great. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 29:15

So did you get to recruit this past summer?

SPEAKER_00 29:18

And yeah, yeah. I mean, um, you know, even my my first summer, you know, I was on the road in the summer and you know, uh last summer, of course. And um, yeah, this summer is a lot of uh a lot of more back and forth, you know. Past few summers I would uh kind of go back to to Maryland for like a month and a half and just do all the American Delaware Union tournaments. This year I kind of go a little more between you know Ohio and uh and Maryland and stuff. So so yeah. Did you make it to Long Island for any recruiting? Yeah. I want to. I want to. I gotta I gotta make it up there. We we need more Long Island guys. Our uh our one Long Island guy's pretty good, so it'd be nice to get more of him.

SPEAKER_03 29:59

Don't let that go to your head, Danny. Don't let that go to your head. It already has. It already has.

SPEAKER_02 30:04

It already has.

SPEAKER_03 30:05

It's all good. I mean, that's the mecca. Let's let's face it, that's mecca there. What so uh it's funny you talk about uh what you learned from Coach Salter and him giving you the free reign a lot of times. He he confided us in emails, as he would give us you know kind of the previews of what he saw as his team for that next year. Gave you a lot of credit for kind of upping the game for Walsh on the offensive side. So I assume with your your assistant there, Aiden Martinez, you're gonna stay on that side of the ball. Is that correct?

SPEAKER_00 30:37

Yeah, yeah. I'll I'll I'll do most of the offense. And um, yeah, I mean, Coach Martinez, I mean, he's again what I think Coach Salter did so good was, you know, give us freedom's assistant. You know, he's Coach Martinez has been here for two years, and you know, he's done a lot of the defensive stuff already. So um, you know, really it should just be, you know, I'm kind of moving in the head coach position, still doing a lot of offense, and Coach Martinez has you know been doing a lot of the defensive stuff already. So um kind of just look and keep things rolling and um and yeah, just take the next step, hopefully.

SPEAKER_02 31:09

Is it status quo or are you bringing some coach D Crispino kind of twists you know into the into the mix now?

SPEAKER_00 31:19

Yeah, I mean, you know, the way I view it, and you know, I think the way a lot of people would view it is you know, what what we've done in the past two years is you know, definitely the best stuff that Walsh has ever done as a program, right? Right.

SPEAKER_02 31:30

Um particularly. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:33

Yeah. So, you know, I don't want to, I'm not coming in here to you know blow things up. Like I said, I think Coach Salter's laid the groundwork for stuff. Um, you know, I think at the end of last year, you know, we all kind of talked about, you know, together change before Coach Salter left, kind of the changes that we felt we needed to make to, you know, to take that next step. And um, you know, I'm really just looking to implement that stuff now. And um, you know, we kind of really have like the roster size that you know we feel we need to, you know, to be able to do a lot of those things and practice. You know, I think that's the biggest thing is you know having the guys in practice so that we can you know practice the stuff, right? Like you can't just can't just go on game day and you know do it. Um, you know, I think the biggest things with us this fall is just uh, you know, really up the up the competition level, um, you know, the one the like the desire to win really. Um, you know, really up the attitude as well, like just wanting to win in everything we do, really. That that's kind of like our big thing we've been saying is like, you know, we want to win lacrosse, you know, in in the classroom. We want to be the you know, good dudes around campus. You know, if if guys want to do intramurals, like they better want to win at those two. Like we've been we've just been saying go and win at everything we do. And I think that's kind of the thing that you know we will I really want to, you know, take that next step on is just you know that overall competition level and you know everything we do.

SPEAKER_02 32:56

Instilling that winner's mentality. Yeah. Yeah. That's excellent. How many do you have? I was gonna you spoke about the roster size. How many do you have on the roster this year, Coach?

SPEAKER_00 33:06

We have 48, 48 this fall.

SPEAKER_02 33:08

Oh, great. And a lot of guys came back, you know. A lot of guys came back. And uh, how many did you add this year in freshmen?

SPEAKER_00 33:16

Uh let me think. The exact number, I want to say I think we have 16 freshmen and a transfer. Um, it might be 17 in a transfer, I'm trying to think. Um, and yeah, I mean, we only graduated uh we graduated three from last year, so wow a lot of retainers. How are the players roster today? Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 33:35

How are the players maybe it's not even adjusted to a change, maybe it's not a change. Has it just been kind of steady state? They're used to both you and Coach Martinez. It's just they lost Coach Salter. So it's not, I mean, obviously, I'm sure a lot of those players were you know brought in to be under Coach Salter, but they had you and Coach Martinez for two years already. So it's got to feel like just almost like they're they're still under the same system.

SPEAKER_00 34:03

Yeah, I I think that's that's definitely made the transition, you know, a lot easier for those guys. Is you know, again, we've been around. Um, you know, it wasn't a huge, um, you know, huge change. So um, you know, I feel like those guys are really comfortable with us. Like we we've already built up a lot of trust with those guys, right? Um, it's not new guys coming into a new situation where you know we we all need to earn the trust of each other, right? Like, you know, if I'm coming in a new place, like you know, I need to earn the trust of the players, but you know, the players need to earn the trust in me, right? And um, you know, what's good is they've already built that level of trust with us as a coaching staff already. Now obviously that has to you know go up a notch too, right? Where you know they still have to earn their trust in me as a head coach, right? And you know, I think that's something you know I haven't just forgot about this fall either. Like, you know, I gotta I gotta come in ready to go every day because um, you know, we gotta get the guys going, we gotta get the guys believing that, you know, yes, we've done the best we've had in the past, but that should just be the the baseline right now, right? Like we we can't be satisfied with that. We gotta be wanting to take that next step, you know, whatever that means. So um that's kind of been, you know, as I said, the big thing with us, you know, just wanting to really take a leap.

SPEAKER_03 35:14

Yeah, well, Danny and I have talked about this, and this is no gonna be no surprise to you, right? The G Mac. The G Mac has one big team that everyone else is gunning for right now, right? And so is that what you're preaching to your guys to get to that next level? You want to be right there?

SPEAKER_00 35:33

Yeah, I mean, it it's it's tough. Like, as you said, like we know the team is like Satan Hill's been running the GMAC. You know, I think um, I mean, they do amazing stuff over there. Like, their coaches do great stuff, they have great players. Like, I mean, yeah, that's who everyone's chasing right now. Like, I don't think that's a secret. And you know, we gotta be able to we gotta be able to compete in games with them, right? We you know, we played them in the conference tournament past two years, and you know, it we haven't really competed with them. Maybe at times we have, but the game overall, you know, wasn't competitive at times, and you know, we need we need to take that next step and make those competitive games. And um, you know, we got to practice like that too. So, and and you know, besides them, like there's you know, if you take a look at the conference last year, like you know, there's some other teams that in our conference that, you know, I think I mean there's some teams that took really big steps last year, and you know, even some of the other teams in our conference who maybe their record didn't reflect it last year. Like, I I look around at the stuff they do on the field and you know, some of the guys they have on the roster, like you know, I think they've really taken a step as well. So I think the conference as a whole, you know, is really taking a step forward.

SPEAKER_03 36:37

But yeah, I mean, yeah, it's tough not to say you got teams like Northwood and Davenport that have been just they were they were really good last year, really tough competition. And then yeah, then you know schools like Malone Thomas More was doing better last year as a new program a few years ago. I mean, and Malone. So I and Wheeling is coming back. I mean, it's there's a lot of tough competition underneath Seton Hill.

SPEAKER_00 37:03

Yeah, yeah. And again, like we're it it we're all kind of battling to you know to compete in games with Seton Hill. And you know, I'm I'm they know that too. And um, and yeah, no, I mean I I think the conference the conference games are a lot of fun because you know they're they're always really competitive. You know, a lot of our teams are you know really close by to each other. Um, so again, I think you this year, you know, as a whole as well, the conference is gonna keep taking another step forward.

SPEAKER_02 37:30

Oh yeah, 100%. And I think Walsh is really poised to make an a step this year, especially with all the guys coming back. I mean, we went seven and three in conference last year, nine and eight overall. A couple of losses were against some ranked teams, you know, big big boys that you played. I mean, you're playing the big guys and you're in that GMAC. I think Walsh is really poised to make that next step. What do you think, coach?

SPEAKER_00 37:55

Yeah, I mean, you know, I think we have, you know, the the players, like I think we have the guys, we have the roster size, but you know, like I've I've told the guys, like we we just can't be satisfied where, yeah, like we can look around and say, all right, we have a lot of the guys here from last year, and all right, we have some pretty good freshmen. Like, you know, none none of that really matters, like, unless you know, we go out and compete. Like, and that's where it's just the the day in, day out consistency of like, you know, we we have to prepare every day, right? Like we have to we have to get after it every day. And um, like I said, like yeah, we you know, when I talk with the guys and when I talk to you know people outside the program, like, yeah, our our goal is absolutely take that next step. But you know, that that doesn't just come, right? Like we there's there's a lot of work that we we have to do. Um and a lot of people we need to show. Like, you know, we I think we're already, you know, we've been in a spies program that maybe people didn't think Wall should get to before, and you know, we again like we can't be satisfied by that. Like we we have to want more, and um, we have to work hard for that.

SPEAKER_02 38:53

What's your out-of-conference schedule look like this year, coach?

SPEAKER_00 38:56

Yeah, so you know, we we don't have it fully finalized yet, but um, you know, I I think we're they're gonna head down to um you know, hopefully to play Montebalo. And um, you know, I'm excited for that one. You know, I I always uh I always had a lot of fun, you know, playing down in Alabama, um, you know, as a player. And um who are who else we got out of conference? Well we got Frostburg again. Okay. Um you know, since I've been here, we've had really fun games with against them, you know, both the years I've been here. Um you know, we have Diugo back on the schedule this year. Okay. Um Quincy's year.

SPEAKER_02 39:32

Another up-and-coming team do you build?

SPEAKER_00 39:34

Yeah, yeah. And who else do we have?

SPEAKER_03 39:37

It's like you may have Undy. Are you playing U Indy?

SPEAKER_00 39:39

Yes, yeah, Undy's who I'm forgetting. Yeah, UND. We're heading down to Undy. So that'll be a good one. All right, coach. Yeah, I mean, I'm I'm pumped about playing them as well. Um, I've actually never been to Indianapolis, so beautiful town.

SPEAKER_03 39:52

It's actually a great town. Yeah, a lot to do. You'll you'll enjoy it.

SPEAKER_00 39:56

Yeah, no, I'm I'm pumped for it. So that that I mean I feel like that that was one of the draws of being a coach, honestly. I I always felt like my like favorite times as a player, like obviously playing the games. Um as a player, obviously is you know, can't beat it, but you know, getting to to see all the new areas and um you know the locations and the buildings and stuff. I always felt like I I always love that part of it.

SPEAKER_02 40:18

So that's pretty cool. That's cool stuff. I like it. So how's fall ball been going so far?

SPEAKER_00 40:24

Good. Yeah, like like I said, um, you know, it's just a lot of competition. I think the guys have really liked that. Um, you know, something we've been talking about past couple weeks is you know, it's about instilling the attitude and mentality first. Um the X's and O's matter, of course, but you know, none of that matters if you don't have the right mentality and right attitude, right? Um, you know, we have our our last fallball um you know play play day on uh next Friday. And you know, after that we'll really dive more into you know skill-based stuff and all that. So um, so yeah, no, it's it's been going well. We've we've had one scrimmage already, you know. I think we had got some really good stuff out of that, and you know, I'm looking forward to this Friday. And um, you know, then the guys will have a little bit of a break after that, and you know, then it's kind of right back to it with um, you know, whatever we decide to do and get back. We'll say we'll do some skill stuff, we'll probably do some some sixes games here and there. So um, so yeah, again, just making sure we keep it fresh every day. Uh but again, no matter what, just the competition. Gotcha.

SPEAKER_03 41:27

That's awesome, Coach. Well, I have to admit, you're wise beyond your years, young man. Really enjoyed having this conversation. I think that Walsh is in a good place. I think having you and Coach Martinez, obviously from the past, it makes it really, really great for your student athletes, your players. Uh, I think from what Coach Salter said, I mean, he praised you up and down every time he got a chance. So it's not like, yeah, you're young, you you've been coaching only for a couple years, but obviously he knew what he saw in you with and you're lacrosse IQ, what you could do as a coach. So we don't wish we wish you nothing but the best, Coach. And we I'm excited to see what Walsh does this year in the GMAC and out of conference.

SPEAKER_00 42:14

Yeah, no, thank you. I I really appreciate that. Um, like I said, I I I'm excited for the opportunity. You know, I uh didn't I didn't think it would happen this quick here, um, you know, with Coach Salter, but you know, I'm I'm just thrilled he brought me up here. You know, I'm super happy this stuff I got to learn from him and um you know my my previous coaches as well, like you know, Coach Port Lander, you know, he when I kind of showed interest in coaching, like he would he would help me a lot with that stuff too. And you know, he's been a really good mentor, you know, since I've taken the job over as well. So um, so yeah, no, I'm I'm thrilled for the opportunity. And you know, I just I mean, like every coach, like I just want it to be spring. So this week.

SPEAKER_02 42:52

Well, you've got some good shoulders to lean on and a lot of guys to to to fall back on when you need that, you know, that help. And that's a great thing. And they always say, you know, you're always only as good as your assistant, and uh, you know, your assistants have been there. I think the transition is gonna be just fine. I think, like I said before, Walsh is poised to make that next step. You're right there. You didn't graduate a lot. A lot of these guys come back. They played competitive ball. Again, lost to a couple of ranked teams, but we got 16 new freshmen, one new transfer in. Uh, things are looking really good for the Cavs in the Walsh up there in the in the GMAC. So, Kyle Di Crespino, thank you so much for coming. Walsh Cavaliers head coach, we wish you nothing but luck. Thanks, guys.

SPEAKER_00 43:37

Appreciate it.

Shout Outs

SPEAKER_03 43:39

So it was great, Danny, to have Coach Williams of Barry and Coach Di Crespino of Walsh on for our first episode.

SPEAKER_02 43:46

Oh, great, great two coaches to have on our first episode. First of all, Coach Williams, again, a lot of pedigree in Division II lacrosse. Um, he's he's started programs before. He really had that uh program at St. Rose. Good. Going in the trending in the right direction before uh they closed their doors. And uh coach got smart, got out of north and upstate New York, and went down south for a little bit where the warm weather is, Coast Atlanta, and then got even smarter and went to Miami, where you know Miami's a great town, man. There's a lot to do there. He's a couple miles from the beach and where he lives, and it's a beautiful neighborhood. So it was great having Coach Williams on. I wish him nothing but success, and I think it's not gonna take him long, Kev, before he's got a pretty decent program there.

SPEAKER_03 44:34

Yeah, I agree. He's got a huge roster already, 51 players. He has I think he just the his attitude he's building culturally on when we asked him more about like, hey, what are your expectations? Like he goes, My expectations don't change. You know, right? We're here to set the bar high, knowing that there's little things that we've got to do, and and winning each day, right? And then Coach D Crespino, interesting that they they have a connection both at lander, one coached, one played, right? And they missed each other in the sequence, they weren't there together at all. Coach Williams learned stuff when he was there at Lander with Coach Lapore, and so did Coach D Crespino, and he's carrying that to Walsh. And he's carrying that. Guys, we have to win at everything we do. You have to win in the classroom, you have to win on the field. If you're gonna play intramurals, you better want your team to win. He's trying to instill that winning attitude in his team.

SPEAKER_02 45:36

I think that's phenomenal. You gotta have that winning mentality if you want to go anywhere. You gotta build that culture, right? And Coach Di Crispino is a young man, and to have those qualities is quite rare in a young man these days. He might, he may be the youngest coach, head coach in division two. He might be among the youngest ones. But you know what? I think Walsh is in good hands. Walsh, you know what, not a bad team, you know. They they could use some players there, but you know, they play competitively for the most part. I mean, they lost to some ranked teams last year, you know, Seton Hill and whatnot. But I think Coach, he has a little bit of an uphill battle, but I think he's got the young, you know, that young vibe and that that energetic uh feel, and I think he's gonna be a good fit for the Walsh Cavaliers.

SPEAKER_03 46:24

I agree. And look at he brings back an assistant that was there with him. There's a lot of continuity, and they're in the hunt for in conference to do well. Now, they still have to play Seaton Hill in the end. He knows that. That's what they're all vying for, that's what they're all trying to knock knock the big giant off the mountain. Very tough to do. But it'll be really fun to see what he can do and see how he actually gets their his team going this year.

SPEAKER_02 46:56

Oh, I agree. I agree wholeheartedly.

SPEAKER_03 46:59

All right, well, let's move on to shout-outs, Danny.

SPEAKER_02 47:01

Do you have any shout-outs for today? I do have a shout-out. My first shout-out, one shout-out. How about the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks? Did you see their new digs, man? I have not yet. It's unbelievable. It's beautiful. Man, if I was a player and I walked into that dressing room, I'd be like, damn, this is nice. I I give a big shout-out to you guys. That's a beautiful, brand new digs you got.

SPEAKER_03 47:28

Uh, that's awesome. Uh, just a little bit of note to let everyone know, all our listeners, we recorded a little bit early the stuff for the coaching carousel, which will come out in a couple weeks. So you may think these are late. These are new shout-outs for us. So just and and if you haven't heard about this, Northwest Nazarene and their new digs, guess what? Concordia University of Irvine, they have new digs too, Danny. So I didn't even think about that as a shout-out. That's another one.

SPEAKER_02 47:58

Yeah, so they got a double shout out.

SPEAKER_03 48:01

Yeah, a whole new building for their athletic facilities and men's locker room, same sort of thing. So I have checked, I've seen the CUI one. I have not seen the Nighthawks. I'm excited to see that. That's great for them as they get ready and try to their their second year in the RMAC. Definitely good shout-outs tonight, Kev. Yeah, I agree. So, with that, Danny, first episode down for the coaching carousel.

SPEAKER_02 48:36

And the wheel goes round and round.