The Changing Coaching Landscape of D2 Men's Lacrosse (Part 2)

SPEAKER_04 0:09

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another episode of In the Priest with Danny and Kevin, a coast-to-coast discussion of D2 men's lacrosse. I'm your co-host, Kevin Stenstrom, and with me is our D2 lacrosse soothsayer, Danny Moran. Hey Danny.

SPEAKER_02 0:26

How are you doing? I'm doing great, Kevin. You're cracking me up every week. You're digging further into the books. I'm doing great tonight. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_04 0:36

I'm doing pretty well, Danny, but I have to confess that I may have fibbed a little to Coach Clark.

SPEAKER_02 0:43

In which way?

SPEAKER_04 0:45

Well, as you recall, when we were talking with him, I kind of alluded to the fact that based on the series that we're going to do on coaching changes, that would probably end up being three episodes. Right. But the content we've been getting from all the coaches has

doing okay take 1

SPEAKER_04 0:59

been so great that I really don't want to end up editing a lot of what they say out to make it a nicer, you know, smaller uh episode. So I decided that we should do only three coaches per episode, which will make it, you know, an hour or less for each episode, and we'll have the good content.

SPEAKER_02 1:19

But that means we'll have four episodes instead of so you told Coach Clark we were going to do this in three episodes, but you see, you and I can't stop talking. That's why this thing, that's why this thing's going into a fourth episode.

SPEAKER_04 1:32

Oh, yeah. But believe me, I've actually edited us out a lot too.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

So that's what's funny about that. But but you know what? It's it's good because you know, these coaches have a lot to say and it's really interesting. And, you know, why edit it? Let's let's make the fourth episode and and bring even more out there to you know what what star like again, what's starting out what started out as a whim is becoming something really kind of special. And um tonight's tonight's podcast is no different.

SPEAKER_04 2:02

That's right. So so last episode and our first episode of the series, we focused on what you coined the whipple ripple, right? What happened when Coach Whipple retired and how that kind of went down the line from Tampa to Line Marcel.

SPEAKER_02 2:21

Opened up the other jobs, right?

SPEAKER_04 2:23

Exactly. Well, in this one, we really are going and we're gonna see both those two schools of thought of hiring a coach that we talked about in in kind of the intro is we've got one uh with St. Rose and Alex Williams uh hiring in a uh a new young coach, and then we've got two established coaches with a lot of success in D2 following.

SPEAKER_02 2:47

Storied coaches. Yes, the two schools of thought, exactly what we've talked about in the first podcast. You know, which which institutions were going to go after what type of coach? Were they gonna go after a storied coach with a lot of wins, or were they gonna go for the for the the new up-and-coming bright head coaches? And tonight we have both, and that's really exciting.

SPEAKER_04 3:10

Yeah, I think it'll be interesting to hear their perspectives of you know what they think either from being new or from being established and how that will help them in their new programs.

SPEAKER_02 3:22

I think we're gonna find out, Kev. I think we're gonna find out tonight.

SPEAKER_04 3:27

All right, Danny. Last week we discussed coaching changes in the Sunshine State Conference and actually two in the SAC, right? You've got uh limestone and Mars Hill. Now let's move on to the NE10 and St. Rose. This is a young coach, a new head coach in Alex Williams. He does have a lot of D2 coaching experience. Spent, you know, uh he has six years of coaching experience in D2. Um, he was at Frostburg most recently, focused on uh the D and face-offs, man up and man down, in which they were second in the nation and caused turnovers. So he seems to know what he's doing, at least on that side of the house. And what's interesting is when I heard about that he was at have been at Frostburg State, obviously we had had Coach Gardelman on, so I reached out to him and I said, Coach, give me give me a little something. What do you think? And and this is what one of the things he said. He said, Alex Williams, in my opinion, is one of the bright young coaches to watch. He's a New York guy, so knows the area well and will crush recruiting for St. Rose. He also took the job because he wants to be in a tough N to bring St. Rose into the competitive rankings.

SPEAKER_02 4:46

St. Rose is getting himself a good coach. Coach Gardelman is great. I loved him on our podcast. I thought he was one of the better coaches on our podcast. I really enjoyed the way he spoke about his program. And and and this coach was his assistant for a long time. And for Coach Gardelman to actually publicly put that out there and say that speaks volumes. And I think St. I think St. Rose is in a really, really good place with this coach.

SPEAKER_04 5:17

Right. And even before that, before he was at Frostburg, he was three years at at Roberts Wesleyan, which I think at that time was starting their program. He was the recruiting coordinator and he actually increased the roster from 22 to 34. So he knows how to recruit. He knows how to coach, at least on the on the defensive side. You know, he's got that uh experience with a coach that we both think is doing very good things at Frostburg, Coach Gardelman. So, and he's got some players that are are coming back that, you know, were some of the top scorers, some of the top defensive players for St. Rose last year that he can build that foundation on.

SPEAKER_02 5:56

Yeah, St. Rose made a little bit of noise. Hey, they're in a tough conference, though. You know, the NE10 is the NET is no joke, you know. And I mean, every team's gonna bring their best uh at the NE 10. And um St. Rose will, I think, is headed in the right direction with this coaching choice. What do you think, uh?

SPEAKER_04 6:16

Yeah, well, I I think so. I mean, it on paper, right? And you know, if they give him time to build, I think he it's a it's a great choice from what from what I can read and see. But let's hear from him. Let's hear what he has to say and what he wants to bring. And I'll point out before we bring him on, he was the first coach that reached back and actually said, I'm in. Just get me on. I'm excited. So if he's excited, he probably spoke to Gardelman. That's what it was. Gardelman probably said, watch out for these two guys, right? Well, let's bring him in right now. Coach, welcome tonight.

SPEAKER_00 6:51

How are you doing? I'm doing well. Thanks, guys. I appreciate uh appreciate you guys having me on. This is awesome.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

Coach, thank you so much for taking time to come on with uh in the crease boys tonight. Um, two passionate lacrosse dads, two two knuckleheads that never played the game, but just love it to death. And um, we are honored that you came on with us

Williams

SPEAKER_02 7:12

tonight. So, first thing I gotta say is congratulations on getting the job at St. Rose. Awesome job. I really uh I I think it's a gonna be a great fit. And uh tell us, tell us what it's like.

SPEAKER_00 7:26

Absolutely, you know. I I appreciate I appreciate it, guys. Uh and and and thank you guys for doing this. Uh, you know, I d identify myself as a D2 guy, and um, so I've been listening to you guys' podcast since uh you know early beginnings and think you guys are doing a great job of of uh you know shedding a light on on our division and what we have to offer. Well thanks so much, appreciate that. Um yeah, absolutely. And you know, here at St. Rose, extremely blessed. Uh it's been a it's been a crazy, crazy ride so far. Um but uh but great but great. Um I actually you know got the job and actually got married um that Saturday. And then congratulations. Yeah, appreciate that. And then uh by then that following Tuesday, I was in Alaska on our honeymoon. Um and trying to, trying to a little bit while when my when my uh my wife wasn't around uh answering emails and phone calls. Uh that's funny. But no, it's been a great uh great experience. You know, the from top-down administration all the way to the the guys on the roster have been um receptive and and uh it's been an exciting time for sure.

SPEAKER_04 8:38

Yeah, so just going on that, it it to me when I look at I look back at the roster and some players are coming back, it looks like you have some strong players returning. Is that kind of the foundation you can go with?

SPEAKER_00 8:49

Yeah, absolutely. You know, there's a there's a ton of familiarity with this program too from you know my previous previous stops, and that was kind of one of the the big sparks for me. Uh in 2020, we played at when I was at Frostburg State, we played Florida Southern. And uh we had a common opponent in St. Rose, and I saw these guys and while we were scouting, and I was like, whoa, St. Rose has some boys, they've got some they have some dogs on defense and some horses on offense, and so uh some dynamic players. So that kind of sparked my interest right away. And we do we do have, I think the previous coaching staff did a great job of recruiting a talented core group of guys and um that really uh are uh you know connected together and have a strong chemistry already. And so, you know, our coaching staff has come in and and and really are trying to continue to build in the you know build trust with these guys and and continue to grow off the success that they've had. And um, we're excited. You know, I think we've got a dynamic group on offense and and some strong defensemen, and then we have uh you know, we actually have six goalies on our roster right now. Wow. Wow. And yeah, for a 40-man roster, we have a we have a strong goalie unit, and and they're all, I would, I would say that they're all Division II caliber goalies. And so uh, you know, it's a battle every day. So in between the we're strong for sure. Wow.

SPEAKER_04 10:07

Well, and speaking of uh goalies, your old boss, Coach Gardelman, you know, he he had high praise for you, saying you were one of the bright young coaches to watch. And Danny and I have talked about this, you know, kind of the philosophy. You either bring in someone young and new with new, maybe some new ideas, or you get someone with you know a strong background in D2 or College Lacrosse coaching. How do you think being young and a new head coach will help you in building your program at St. Rose?

SPEAKER_00 10:39

Yeah, that's a great question. Um, I think that you know, I I I really appreciate Coach Carlman and everything he's done for me as a mentor. And you know, uh he he's got a great, you know, he's got a great thing over there at Frostburg and they're poised to make some noise, and I'm excited to watch the those boys from a distance now. And um I think you know, being a young younger coach not so far off from the game, uh, can still relate to some of these guys uh, you know, you know, on the field. And um and and really it's it's I I believe and I I've learned from you know Coach Garleman and Coach Delfino at Roberts Wesley, and it's all about the relationships. And so we're really big on two-way communication and building relationships and trust and accountability for myself down to our staff, captains, all the way to our to our uh the rest of our team. And and I think if we we build that trust and build that uh accountability in chemistry, that's where the true success is going to come from. And um that's where we're gonna see the success both on and off the field. Uh so that's really where what we've been doing right now um, you know, a lot of this fall has been, you know, understanding who who we are as a program and and kind of building that that relationship. So I think uh kind of to piggy, you know, bring it back around, you know, being a younger coach, um, I definitely see merit in bringing in some older guys, but you know, having you know uh being younger and and more energized, I wouldn't say more energized, but having the energy and being able to relate to these guys uh has been you know enjoyable and I think is what will help us you know find some success early on.

SPEAKER_02 12:10

I I agree with that. I agree that and you said on the field, you know, you're close with your players, but I think a younger coach or you know, you even off the field you can relate to them a little bit and like what's going on on the outside and stuff like that. Maybe an older coach with that pedigree might not be so up on TikTok or Instagram or or whatever else the kids are doing these days.

SPEAKER_04 12:34

So and I can barely get on Zoom.

SPEAKER_02 12:37

So there you go. Yeah, but I think that's important for a coach, you know, to to to have that with his team. And and and coach, we had coach Gardelman on, I'm sure you know, and I thought the world of him. And I had never really met him, I've never really spoken to him. And and you're coming from that tree, and that's that's that's pretty impressive right there. And I think St. Rose is you know really gonna make do some noise. I I really do. I think you know, what you where you're coming from and and bringing that energy, I think St. Rose has made a really good choice.

SPEAKER_00 13:15

Yeah, I appreciate that. I uh I owe a lot to Coach Garleman, and and to be completely transparent, wasn't necessarily looking to leave. You know, I think we have uh had had a really great thing going and I really enjoyed working with him and that group of guys, but uh some familiarities with St. Rose, you know, as a player at Roberts, we played St. Rose a couple times.

SPEAKER_03 13:34

Right.

SPEAKER_00 13:34

Uh and you know, out of I think the three times that I played against them, you know, two of them went to at least overtime. You know, we had one game go to triple overtime, another game go to double overtime. And so I knew there was a competitiveness here, and then just meeting the guys really sold me on the opportunity, you know, and so um, you know, I wasn't just out there throwing my name into different you know, hats just to get a job. Um and he really you know taught me, you know, and and stressed and I see the importance of that that two-week that trust. And so, like you said, off the field, like I don't really have time anymore to play video games and things like that. Uh, but we want these guys to be able to come to us and talk to us about what they're doing, you know. Oh coach, I just got crushed in mat uh in in fantasy this weekend, or you know, we found a new we found a new spot where they have like the best, you know, best best chicken wings around. You know, we want to have those conversations because then that translates to the field. You know, if if we have that trust, you know, uh and and we bring them a new off offensive, you know, play or something to run out of a timeout and the timing just isn't there. If we have that kind of trust and can have that communication because we've built it off the field, they're gonna feel more comfortable to come to us on the field and say, hey coach, I I just don't know if this cut can get me here on time or whatever. And it's like, okay, yeah, let's let's look at it. You know, this might be something new. And um, our guys have really you know bought into that that mindset and um it's been it's been pretty fun so far for sure.

SPEAKER_04 14:55

Yeah, so you're now going into what what Danny and I have called the granddaddy of them all, right? An NE10. And you know, how are you embracing that challenge? Tell us about that. That's and and actually, you know, Coach Garvelman kind of said that, oh yeah, that's what he is embracing. That's where he wanted to go. He wanted to make a mark in the toughest conference. But give us your thoughts on that.

SPEAKER_00 15:18

Yeah, absolutely. You know, it's arguably the toughest conference in division two, maybe the SAC now with the addition of limestone. You know, I think, you know, depending on who you're talking to, it's it's one of the tied one and one, right? And so absolutely, if you want if we you know, if you want to compete at that high level, you know, what we're talking about here is playing a championship brand of lacrosse. And so, you know, we don't want to make any excuses. You know, we want to find guys that identify with that style and that brand of lacrosse that want to play fast and free and instinctual and opportunistically aggressive on defense. And you know, if we want to compete and in and find guys that identify with that, you know, St. Rose is a little bit more of a blue-collar uh you know program in the in the city of Albany. So we want to find guys that identify with that, uh, that style. And and honestly, we've been having great conversations with young young men here that are excited about what we're trying to do here. And you know, we're not gonna we're not gonna shy away. Uh, and that's something that these guys have been preaching the whole time uh since I've been here and through the interview process is if you look back at last year, the NET played a conference only schedule, and Saint Rose had the number one strength of schedule in all in Division II. They played Lemoyne three times, Adelphi twice, a handful of times. Right, I know, you know, and and and you know, they you know, if you're watching those games, you see like you know, they're you know, a one goal game at halftime with Lemoyne twice. You know, they're up on a Delphi after the first quarter. And so, you know, like we've said, and you guys mentioned they there's a talented group of guys here and and they want to be successful, so we're not backing down. Uh I appreciate Coach Rottleman saying that. You know, we it it is, you know, if if you want to be the best, you gotta play with the best and be the best. And so uh, you know, we're excited for this this challenge and this conference and to continue to elevate uh the NE10. And we're actually, you know, I just found this out. Um this is actually only our 10th year as a program uh in total. The 2012 was the first pro first year, and 2013 was actually the first year we're allowed to compete in the NE10. So they kind of had an independent year. So still a very young program overall compared compared to some of these other schools like the Lemoines and the Bentleys and things like that that have been you know, what I think I think Le Moyne has more national championships than we've had as a season. So uh, you know, but but like I you know, like I keep saying, you know, these guys are hungry and we're excited and we're not we're not here to to back down. And if we're not talking about playing a championship uh brand of lacrosse, then we you know we probably shouldn't be in this industry or or or be here.

SPEAKER_02 17:50

Even last year, St. Rose played pretty well. I thought they were, you know, a tough young scrappy team. I felt they were like, you know, one or two, you know, players away maybe of being like, you know, making some noise up there in the NE10. I I wish you the best of luck, coach. You know, the new job and everything and tough, tough conference for sure, but you sound like you're ready, ready to go.

SPEAKER_00 18:14

I appreciate that. You know, we are. We're very excited, and um you know, we think we did a pretty good job of of building an out-of-conference schedule that you know, you know, both prepares us and helps us to get ready for the NE10. So uh, you know, I appreci I appreciate that, you know, and we're we're we're excited and ready to get going here.

SPEAKER_04 18:32

Yeah, coach, thanks so much for coming on tonight. We really appreciate it. It's been great uh hearing what you're trying to do, you know, and how you're kind of positioning yourself at the NE10. I think I think Lemoyne and Adelphi need to start worrying about you right now. So we're we're gonna be watching you and hopefully we can get you on during the season for a few minutes as well.

SPEAKER_00 18:53

Absolutely, guys. I appreciate your time and would love to do this again. Catch up soon. Hey, thanks again, coach.

SPEAKER_02 18:59

Good luck, and uh, we'll be watching.

SPEAKER_04 19:02

Appreciate it, guys. Thank you. Okay, now moving from the NE10 to the ECC and Malloy. Now, this is different. They are got they got a coach who has that pedigree, right? He has been there and done that in Bill Dunn.

SPEAKER_02 19:19

Bill Dunn, you know, this man, he's he's got some serious pedigree, okay? Comes from that the Jack Cayley uh coaching tree. Um coach Ryan from Mercyhurst spoke a lot about uh Jack Cayley. You know, we just lost him a couple of months ago. Um he comes from that coaching line. That's like the belly check and the coaching tree. Okay. So like in Division II, Jack Cayley was the guy, and and and and and a lot of coaches modeled themselves to be to do what he did at the D2 level. And Coach Bill Dunn was one of those coaches, and he was at New York Tech for a long time, which was a perennial, again, a perennial uh top 10, top 15 team, right? You know, playing playing the in the ECC, playing really hard out of conference schedules, playing all the top dogs, and we're very and were very successful. But COVID shut down NYT.

SPEAKER_04 20:25

Yeah, they basically have said that they're not doing athletics, they suspended athletics for at least two years, which I'm sure which is what left um left Coach Dunn, you know, an opportunity to go elsewhere. Right.

SPEAKER_02 20:38

So you know, and plus a lot of kids, you know. How many kids were at NYIT before COVID that or or had committed or were freshmen or sophomores when the COVID hit and the co the school just said, no, we're not playing, and we're not playing in the 2021 season. So they had a lot of kids leave, and of course Coach Dunn was looking for he was out of a job.

SPEAKER_04 21:03

Right. And so what's interesting, you know, 12 years as the assistant under Jack Haley, and then 11 years as the head coach, his record as the head coach was 116 and 50. Exactly. With three ECC championships. He knows he knows what to do in the ECC, so let's hear it from him and himself. Coach Bill Dunn. Welcome, Coach Dunn, to the podcast tonight. Great to have you. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_05 21:35

Uh, everything's going great. I'm enjoying the uh fall, and uh I'm excited about talking with you guys tonight. I've been a big advocate for uh Division II across over the years. Uh my mentor Jack Cayley,

Dunn

SPEAKER_05 21:52

who just passed away about a month ago. Uh that was his whole whole goal is to Bring Division II mens lacrosse to the forefront. And they always thought that the Division I always got all the notoriety, and Division III as well, and Division II was always left, you know, holding the bag at the end. So uh this is real exciting for me.

SPEAKER_02 22:20

Oh, well, that's great, you know. And you're not the first coach to come on and talk about Coach Cayley and what he's done for Division II. We had uh Chris Ryan from Mercyhurst, who who basically gave a sermon for the man uh on our podcast, and it was wonderful. And I had not known much about Jack Cayley. I'm from Long Island, I'm not too far from you. Um we go, I drive past your the practice field a lot. Actually, my youngest son is there right now with his fallball team. So um I did not know about Jack Cayley, and you know, just from doing these podcasts, I've learned so much. And wow, what a man! What what a great mentor he was to many, many coaches and many people here on Long Island.

SPEAKER_05 23:04

Yeah, I was lucky enough that I was a high school coach and in 2000, actually the fall of '99, uh, he hired me. Uh and I was I had success coaching in high school. And then when I I started working with Jack, I found out I really didn't know anything about coaching. And he kind of he taught me not only the on the field and the S's and O's, but the off the field, uh, how to deal with people and how to deal with the student athletes that we had. So he was a great mentor and an even better friend of mine.

SPEAKER_04 23:44

So wow, coach. So great to hear your recollections uh and your special relationship with Coach Cayley. I really appreciate you sharing that with us because that really leads me into my next question. Obviously, you were at um NYT for a long time uh and now taking over for Malloy. What

Dunn intro

SPEAKER_04 24:08

kind of drew you to come to Malloy and take over the program there from you know, either from what the school has to offer, the the lacrosse program, what what really drew you to take over the program here?

SPEAKER_05 24:19

Well, uh a year ago, I was the volunteer assistant coach at St. John's University. Um Jason Miller. With Jason, yep. And uh that was a great experience for me. I had never coached Division I before, and I got a chance to see the best players in in the college game up close and personal, and and the best coaches as well. Um back in May, I was approached actually by the ECC commissioner Bob Dranoff, who said that uh Susan, uh the athletic director at uh at Malloy, uh she was thinking about making a change and she wanted to talk to me. And uh I was interested to get back into the game. Uh you know, coaching in Division II for uh the 21 years I I was at uh New York Tech. Uh I really felt that the way it ended, it kind of left a sour taste in my mouth.

SPEAKER_03 25:26

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 25:28

You know, dropping of all athletics during COVID, uh suspending, I should say. Right. That's the word they use, but we'll see what happens with that. Um so then, you know, there was kind of a void there. And then when I was approached by Bob, it definitely piqued my interest. And I knew over the years, just from competing against Malloy, uh they always gave us a battle. Um, usually we came out on top, except for the last time we played them, and they did beat us in overtime. That's right. So I knew they had uh some good lacrosse players there. Uh they just probably didn't have enough, you know, year in year out to compete with the likes of New York Tech, uh CW Post, uh Dowling, you know, all perennial all perennial top 10, top 20 teams year in and year out. Right. But unfortunately, the conference uh has been weakened by LIU now being division one, right? Uh New York Tech not having a program, Dalling not being open any longer.

SPEAKER_03 26:40

Right.

SPEAKER_05 26:41

And Adelphi, I mean, they moved to the Northeast 10. Right. And they were the first ones to leave. So, you know, our conference now, you know, Mercy College is is a strong program. They're very good. Um, and then after that, you know, it looks like Frostburg State, which was a Division III program that came in, uh, came up to Division II a couple of years back. They look like they have a pretty strong program. And then after that, you know, it's anybody else's game. And uh I think we have a we have a legitimate shot to compete for the championship of the conference. So that's one of the things that really drew me in. Uh my goal every year, our goal over the years was to win the conference championship. And we knew if we were able to do that, our chances of getting a bid to the NCAA tournament was pretty strong. Right. So, you know, we're not looking to get at the NCAAs or anything else like that. We're looking just to win our conference, and we're playing a strung out of conference schedule. Uh that was already put together when I took over, and we're opening up against Seton Hill. I mean, that final four game the last four years. I think you spoke about Chris before. We're traveling up to Mercyhurst to play Mercyhurst as well.

SPEAKER_02 28:09

But coach, I I think that's what makes a program stronger by playing playing those guys, you know, and it gives it gives your players a chance to see, hey, this is what it takes. This is what kind of teams that we need to beat and play like in order for us to be uh you know successful. It's it surprised me that Malloy hasn't been as good as some of the other teams, being that it's a Long Island school and you have so many great players right here, you know. And I I'm hoping I'm hoping that with your pedigree and what you bring to the table is able to bring Malloy back to some national prominence.

SPEAKER_05 28:51

Um well, that's our plan. I've hired a real strong coaching staff. Um our offensive coaches are Pat Perrott, who played at Syracuse and he coached Syracuse for a while. Phenomenal. Chris Tempone, who was the ASA coach, which was a junior college in New York City a couple of years ago. And after they shut down, shut their athletics down, he moved over to the Hostra club team, and he's been coaching that team for a while. And Tim McCabe was a Suffolk Community College coach for seven years, and he's coaching on defense for us. So, you know, having a whole new coaching staff, you know, it's yeah, I I listen to a lot of different professional coaches, and they always uh harp on coaching the coaches. And you know, the system that I like to use. Um, if I would have had my coaches from New York Tech, it would have been a lot easier. Uh, but these uh three coaches, they're really knowledgeable in the game of the cross, and they and the transition has been pretty smooth so far with with the team. Um, you know, I think that um our chances, as long as the guys work hard and give 100% every single day in practice, are pretty strong that we're gonna be competing um for the conference championship.

SPEAKER_04 30:26

Yeah, coach, it looks like to me, when you look at the roster, look back at some of the stats from last year, that you've got some players that are coming returning that are really strong. I mean, uh probably a good foundation is is that what you're talking about? You can that you think that you can really compete because you've got some of that right now.

SPEAKER_05 30:42

Yes. And uh especially on the offensive end of the field, um we have probably a top three out of their top four scores already. Coming back. Um I really like to build from the goal out, and the other end of the field, maybe the offensive coach. So we have a starting goalie back from last year. We have a transfer that just came in from UNBC. Wow. So they're gonna, and we have two others that can compete for the starting spot, but I think we're pretty strong from that from that end of the field. And defensively, we'll we have the injury bug this fall, but as soon as we get everybody back, uh we have a couple of uh mid-year transfer defensemen coming in as well that are plucking off the portal. Uh we're gonna be okay on that end. But you know, the most important spot on the field that I learned this last year because I want to get us the best face-off guys in the country, right? Is that the face-off X. And uh I have two or three guys that are in the mix. I have a mid-year transfer coming in from St. John's that face-off for us last year that uh he's coming in also to face off. So it's like any other sport, you have to be strong down the middle of the field. Um our attack is is gonna be good. Um, but you know, for goal is gonna be good. It's gonna be what's happening in the middle of the field. I think we can get the ball, we're gonna score some goals, but that's easier said than done. I mean, it's a it's a real specialty position now, and you could talk to any coach in the country, and it's that's probably their number one concern is at the face-off.

SPEAKER_02 32:42

Right, right. Yeah, and it makes complete sense. I mean, more more more possessions and just more chances to score. I know some schools have gone through the transition where they've had FOGO that were on their knee their whole lives, and and now they're up and they're struggling, you know, and and you're getting a new, uh a lot of 50-50 balls at the at the face-off now, which I love. I love that excitement of that 50-50 ball. And um, coach, I think with your pedigree and what you got going on with your assistants, I think Malloy has uh a really bright future. And I I'm looking forward to it. Again, you guys are in my backyard. I pass there all the time. Um, the head basketball coach of Malloy, Charlie Marquot, is a very, very good friend of mine. We grew up together playing ball in Rockaway. So I know what kind of people are at Malloy at the administrative uh level. And and getting you now is just gonna bring that. It's it's I can it can only go up.

SPEAKER_05 33:43

Well, I know I know they're excited over at the college uh about the men's lacrosse program. Um I think they're they're they're really they really want a winning team. Okay, and uh last year was a little bit of a down season for them. Um I think the guys on the team, they believe in what we bring them. Uh now it's up to us to kind of mold them into champions. And you know, it's it's a I always tell them every single day, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Right. Um, you know, everybody looks at the big picture, they want to be playing in the NFL stadium on Memorial Day weekend, and I tell them just from the experiences that I've had, um you got to take your time and go through everything that's necessary to get there, including having some good luck along the way. Yeah, and I can take from 03 where we went undefeated all the way to 08 when we won again, we could have lost in a couple of overtime games here and there, and we wouldn't have even made the tournament. So, you know, it's just one game at a time, one practice at a time, uh, and then everything else kind of takes care of itself.

SPEAKER_04 35:05

Yeah, it's interesting you say that, coach, because we when we talked with uh Coach Jorgensen of St. Leo and going back about the 2018 season, his 2018 season, he said the exact same thing. He said it like, you know, you gotta have some things break your way. And they had that break that way when they when they went up, you know.

SPEAKER_02 35:21

Yeah, he said that every ground ball went into their stick that year, you know. And he said it was just a a great luck season, and that's part of it, you know. That's part of it.

SPEAKER_05 35:32

They they had a they had a uh unbelievable team that year. We went there, we played them down there at the old tech, and they handed it to us. Um, and I knew they were going to be real successful. And you know, it's funny you mentioned them because that Florida conference down there has gotten real competitive. It's and with all the changes, the coaching changes that have happened between Tampa and Limestone, you know, some of those Florida schools could upset a couple of teams and sneak in again. No doubt, no doubt.

SPEAKER_04 36:08

Yeah, and and so, but I I like what you said about you know the ECC and where you're trying to go with it, because I think if if Malloy can bring that and you've got you know Frostburg and you've got Mercy, you start to build a conference that is elevated. And if the conference is really good, you get the chance if you play well in your conference and out of conference, if it and you win your conference championship, that gets you to the next level, right?

SPEAKER_05 36:33

Yeah, well, you have you have to you don't have to, but you have to have a great season. Yeah, you don't win the conference championship. It's not an automatic qualifier, but it sure helps. And then you have to upset some teams in your non-conference schedule. We're lucky enough on our schedule, we're gonna have some pretty high-ranked teams that we're gonna be playing. I mentioned Seaton Hill, I mentioned Mercy Hurst, and we're playing Adelphi too. So you know they Delphi, Mercy, Malloy, Mercy, Malloy hasn't uh played them in a number of years now, and that's gonna be an exciting game. Uh the Malloy former head coach from a couple of years back, uh Joe Catalanato, he um he's been the assistant at Adelphi for a number of years now.

SPEAKER_02 37:24

I know Joe Cat. I know Joe Cat.

SPEAKER_05 37:26

So he uh that's gonna be an exciting game in April, you know, and and we're home. So that that uh Rockville Center athletic complex is gonna be buzzing that night.

SPEAKER_02 37:38

Yeah, my nephew, my nephew was a D1 um transfer. He uh did four years at Binghamton, and now he's got the fifth year because of the COVID. He's staying close to home, so he went to a Delphi. So they got a nice D1, my nephew Galgano. You'll see him on the field. Um he's pretty good, but um Joe Cat is a big part of True Blue, um, the club, and that's where my youngest son played with True Blue. So, and um just a lot of pedigree there, coach. And uh you're gonna be um you're gonna have a great season. I I can see it already. I can see it.

SPEAKER_04 38:20

Yeah, I think what you said, coach, of like that, just that out-of-conference schedule, you know, it's something that you know your your team can really build upon. And then if you get some of those wins, you know, I it'll be really interesting to watch. And and so we really appreciate you coming on. We will definitely be watching Malloy this next season, and we'd love to have you on during the season sometime.

SPEAKER_05 38:41

Oh, I'm glad to come on. Um, and again, thanks for doing this. It's only good for Division II lacrosse and anything to build up uh the reputation of Division II. You know, I'm glad to do anything for that.

SPEAKER_02 38:56

Uh thank you so much, Coach. Congratulations on the new job and the best of luck this season, and we'll be in touch. Thank you, Coach Bill Dunn from Malloy. Thanks.

SPEAKER_04 39:09

Okay, now let's move. We're still up in the Northeast. We're in the CACC with Post. And their new coach, John Jez, who also you know has a has a storied history. 12 years at LIU Post, which is now a D1 program.

SPEAKER_02 39:29

Yeah, they're Division I now.

SPEAKER_04 39:31

They he was there from 2006 to 2017, two D2 national championships in 2009 and 10, reached the final in 2014, four other semifinals, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016. And I point that out because that wasn't too long ago.

SPEAKER_03 39:49

No, no, no, no.

SPEAKER_04 39:51

And seven ECC championships. That's amazing. That's phenomenal.

SPEAKER_02 39:56

That's phenomenal.

SPEAKER_04 39:58

And before that, he was the head coach at Pace.

SPEAKER_02 40:01

Yeah, yeah. The centers.

SPEAKER_04 40:03

Two top five rankings in 2003 and 2004. This guy has just built championship programs wherever he's was.

SPEAKER_02 40:11

Obviously, Coach Jez knows how to coach, obviously. He's, you know, and and the pedig the pedigree is there. And uh Post is getting a good one. They're gonna get a good coach. And uh I'm I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do at Post. I that's a a team that for a long time has been good, but suffered in the last couple of years, I guess, you know.

SPEAKER_04 40:33

And yeah, they've been no no better than two and twelve since 2018. So he's gonna he's gotta rebuild still. I mean, he's he's got some players coming back, but that'd be very tough to do overnight.

SPEAKER_02 40:45

But yeah, but look he's got one thing, he's got one thing going that he's on Long Island, and that's a huge hot edge. So he doesn't have to go far. And again, we talked about mamas how far want to let their babies go. Some of the mamas don't want to let their babies go very far. So if you're a Long Island kid and you're looking to stay close, Post is might be a place for you to look at now. It might not be the doormat that it's been the last couple of years, you know. And Coach Jez brings a lot of pedigree there. And I I expect Post to do some good things. And I don't I don't think it's gonna be long. I think he's gonna do it relatively quickly.

SPEAKER_04 41:26

Yeah, so let's see what he has to say. Let's get him on. Let's get him on. Here he is, Coach John Jez. Hey, welcome, Coach. How you doing tonight?

SPEAKER_01 41:37

How's everything going?

SPEAKER_02 41:38

Hey, Coach Jez, thanks for coming on tonight. We really appreciate you taking the time to be on In the Crease, the podcast uh D2 Lacrosse. We really appreciate you coming on tonight.

SPEAKER_01 41:48

Well, thank you for the invitation.

SPEAKER_04 41:50

So just to start off, Coach, you've been asking this for most of the coaches have changed. You know, you know, we've seen where you were before. Um, you know, what kind of drew you to come to post uh and take this job?

SPEAKER_01 42:03

I know I was looking for an opportunity to get back into coaching again. Location as far as where I live, it's you know, I don't really have to commute or or transfer that much. We don't have to move the whole family. It's definitely uh a relatively young program that the administration has been putting a lot of stuff into and trying to get them to be uh conference champion.

SPEAKER_04 42:22

It looks like if I look at your roster right now, what you have it, there are some strong players coming back. It is do you see the same thing? How do you assess it and how has fallball been going for you?

SPEAKER_01 42:33

Fallball's going well. We we have eight Canadians that just came in this year. They were closed out the last year and a half. Our previous coach did a great job recruiting a bunch of people. Majority of the team is young. I mean, the last two years are were both COVID years for them, and they've been working hard trying to learn a new system, trying to get some other stuff in. So it's been a little bit difficult to put something in new with new people. And you know, most of the Canadians haven't played in like a year and a half, they were saying.

SPEAKER_04 42:59

Wow. Wow, that's amazing. Um and so, Coach, we Danny and I have talked about this. Obviously, your coaching pedigree at LIU Post and all the championships and whatnot you have there really speaks for itself, right? I we we went through it all. It's just amazing. How do you think that will help you in building the program at post?

SPEAKER_01 43:23

I mean, uh, we're we're hoping the this the new staff and all are hoping that it gets some kids interested in a place that hasn't been super successful in the past, knowing that the school has made a commitment to the program that they're bringing in people that they want to win. So hopefully that that carry carries over. You know, past records and past accolades have nothing to do with we're we're doing now, but hopefully the experience and things that we have in in place can can carry over with this new group.

SPEAKER_04 43:49

Yeah, so talk about the staff you brought in to help you then, if uh if you wouldn't mind.

SPEAKER_01 43:54

Well, I have a young coach from um he played at uh St. Thomas Aquinas who's a An all-American goalie there. He's been working at a small division, Division III school down in the city, uh Ryan Mello. And then we returned the two staff members that were there before, David Robinson and Byron. David's a former indoor lacrosse player, so he's he's been a great tie with us and communicating with the Canadians and a great tie from their style to what we're trying to do there.

SPEAKER_02 44:21

Interesting. That's good to have a coach like that intertwining with the Canadian game, which is completely different from the field game, as we all know. But they they dominate in the field game. Why do you think that is, Coach?

SPEAKER_01 44:35

The Canadians now?

SPEAKER_02 44:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 44:37

In the field or the indoor game?

SPEAKER_02 44:39

In the indoor. Like when I think they they come from the indoor game, and when they transition to the field game, it seems like they dominate to me. It's like they're always really good.

SPEAKER_01 44:49

Well, the stick skills that you needed for indoor in such a tight space, you have to be really in tune with your stick skills. You're a tougher, grittier guy. That's one of the reasons we like them. We're trying to get some toughness in the program. Again, your stick skills are exploded. Now you have a net that's six by six instead of four by four. All those accolades that playing tough defensively, one-on-one defensively, all those things in a in a bigger field is is you know, you have all that much more space. So that's probably why they're excelling a lot more.

SPEAKER_02 45:15

Ah, I see. I see. It's gonna be interesting. Um where do you see post, you know, like going in the like the next year or two? Where do you see them? Where you know, the conference is tough, you know. Well, how you know you're gonna have good out of conference schedule, and who do you got coming up?

SPEAKER_01 45:33

We we've played a couple teams from the ECC, we're playing Malloy with Coach Dunn, we're playing Robert Wesley. We're really late in the game to put the schedule together. I was hired in in late June, early July.

unknown 45:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 45:44

So we have a 14-game schedule, we have a conference schedule, which is uh the CACC, which is tough in itself. But one good thing is majority teams in that conference are pretty evenly based, unlike some other conference where some teams have the highs and lows. I think everyone supported pretty well, and all their teams are similar. So we're hoping to get into the conference championship this year or next year and then start fighting for our conference championship, and we'll see where that goes from there.

SPEAKER_02 46:07

Awesome. Sounds phenomenal.

unknown 46:09

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 46:10

I mean, that was kind of one of my questions. And it goes a lot of what the other coaches said. Like where it you are starting with, it, you know, and we talked about this earlier, right? With a program that hasn't had a winning record, it's not like someone new comes in like yourself and can turn things over in a dime, right? It takes some time as you build that. And also, I would assume to bring in some of your own recruits on how you want to build your team. Am I correct in that?

SPEAKER_01 46:38

Yes, you know, the group's a great group that was there. They're dying to work and play hard and win, you know, but changing a whole system that was put in place in years earlier is trying to get them into the new system, creating a new culture, bringing the right kids. It's it's it's a little bit of a chore recruiting right now because again, a lot of kids don't want to go to a program that hasn't been super successful in the past. You have to sell them on it, you have to sell them on the future. And it's been tough getting kids to campus with this COVID, this COVID stuff going on. Right. Right. School does a great job. I spoke to the kids that are there now, and they said they were sold on the overnights, spending time with the players and the personality of the school, the personality of the players, trying to get them on campus to experience that will sell a lot more than hey, I'm there and we're gonna do good ways. They have to spend some time with the players and and create that cohesiveness with the guys that are there now.

SPEAKER_04 47:33

Well, that's funny you say that, coach, because you know, through this podcast, when we've talked to other coaches, they've said the same thing. One of the main recruiting tools that they love is having players stay overnight because that really sells the program with the team uh and the school. I know when my son uh was going through that process, we narrowed it down, or really he narrowed it down to you know four or five schools that he then spent overnight. And that's what drove him to the school he's at right now, because he really felt uh a real fit with the school he's in now. And I I I really hope that you can start doing that for your team and your recruits with those overnights more, and we get through this COVID a little bit because I know that would be a real benefit to your program.

SPEAKER_01 48:21

Yeah, you get more personal attachment to them, you get to see the kids, you get to see them interact with the players. And most of my philosophy in overnight is hey, go spend some time with the guys. I'm not gonna sugarcoat anything because I want you to experience what they experience every day. Ask them the real questions and see what's going on, see what's going on from there.

SPEAKER_02 48:38

Coach, let me ask you a question. What do you think about the growth of Division II in like the last five or six years? I mean, it's just exploding. I mean, we're getting new teams and new conferences. W what do you think about that?

SPEAKER_01 48:51

I think I think it's awesome. So I've been out of Division II for about four years, but I've been watching the growth. It's it's great. You know, I at some point I'd I hope they get to a point where they get automatic qualifiers for conferences instead of what they're doing now. But I see that going in that way.

SPEAKER_02 49:07

But so do I. I think I I agree with you there. I think that's the direction we're headed.

SPEAKER_01 49:12

Yeah. Where schools probably put in to increase their uh increase their kids on campus. Now they're realizing it's it's a great thing. It's it's a good thing for the schools, you know, and the growth is just everywhere now. It's just it's just it's just great. More teams are gonna be adding up north. I think Bridgeport's starting in a year or so. Hopefully, see more teams add up north, and and those things will go well too.

SPEAKER_04 49:33

Yeah, and we know, like even this year, we and on on this series of uh podcasts, and we're talking about coaching changes, you know, two new schools coming into Uville and Flagler, and you know, like you said, Bridgeport coming behind that. It's really exciting. It's such great lacrosse, and we love to see the growth. And we we really think we both, I mean, we're both passionate about it. That's why we do this podcast, and and we cannot thank you enough for being on uh and giving us your insight on where you're trying to go uh with your program and your team. Um and and we are excited to see where Post goes this year and in the following years and see uh and see how that builds. And and we'll be watching and we'd love to have you on again during the season.

SPEAKER_01 50:17

Yep, anytime. Thank you guys for everything. And like I said, the growth of lacrosse, the grocery division two is awesome. From teams in the past only winning championships from Long Island to now North Carolina, Florida, everyone's fighting for something. It's great to see.

SPEAKER_02 50:30

Right. Even have teams from Indianapolis coming out. It's crazy and making noise. It is, it is crazy. Coach Jez from Post, thanks so much for coming on. We wish you the best of luck. Congratulations on the new job. And uh we'll be watching, and we hope that you'll come on with us again and we'll talk more.

SPEAKER_01 50:48

Thank you for your time, guys.

SPEAKER_02 50:50

Thanks, Coach. We appreciate it.

SPEAKER_04 50:52

Coach Jez, Post. Once again, that was just a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_02 50:58

Wow, that tonight was really, really, really cool. Um we talked about the two schools of thought and the coaches and you know, Coach Williams from St. Rose. Just what, you know, I'm really looking forward to watching his team this year and seeing what he can do. And, you know, the storied coaches at uh Post

exit start

SPEAKER_02 51:18

now and at Malloy now. And and tonight was really interesting. And even learning more about Coach Jack Cayley. I mean, we're I'm learning more and more about him. And you know what's surprising to me living on Long Island and being so entrenched in lacrosse here. I'm surprised I didn't know about him. I'm really surprised. So each night that we talk to one of these coaches, they're all talking about Coach Cayley. And it's really interesting to me.

SPEAKER_04 51:45

It's amazing to hear. I'm surprised that you being the soothsayer didn't know that. I, of course, have come in a little bit later than you, but uh it's great. You know, I remember hearing the stories of him or reading them after he passed away, right? On, you know, um USA La Crosse magazine and a few others, but to actually hear it from coaches who were there with him, either coaching with him or coaching against him, and then they become a mentor, you know, as Coach Ryan when we we talked with him. Just amazing. And you know, you can see you we talked about the the whipple ripple, but you can see the ripple effects that Coach Cayley has had on this division.

SPEAKER_02 52:26

It's unbelievable. And it's really um kind of cool. It's kind of cool. And that what they say about Coach Kelly is that he was even a better person than he was a coach. And I mean, he's got national championships and high school level and D2 level and and just accolade after accolade, you know, coach of the year five times or whatever he was. Jack Kelly basically started the D2 division, and maybe we should do a podcast on Coach Kelly some coming up in the future. But tonight tonight tonight was great, and um, I appreciate all the coaches coming on, and it's been another really good podcast, Cap.

SPEAKER_04 53:06

Yeah, so everyone out listening out there, please keep your comments and feedback coming. You can reach us once again at In the Crease D2Lacks on Instagram. I'm at Coach Stenny on on Twitter, and and please provide your feedback so as we move on and pass these coaching changes, if there are things that you want to hear about, we would love to hear from you.

SPEAKER_02 53:29

And tell us, you know, give us feedback, good or bad. You know, tell us if hey, that's stunk tonight, guys. You know, you can give us the bad feedback because I think that's only going to help us in the future, too.

SPEAKER_04 53:42

Kevin and Danny, stop talking so much.

SPEAKER_02 53:44

But so far it's been good feedback, and that's that's really cool. I'm happy about that.

SPEAKER_04 53:50

So that's a wrap for In the Crease.