Randolph-Macon Names Mike Plantholt Head Coach

[Sonny]

ASHLAND, VA – Randolph-Macon College Athletic Director Denis Kanach announced Tuesday the hiring of Mike Plantholt as the new head coach of the Yellow Jackets men's lacrosse program.

A 2001 graduate of Gettysburg College, Plantholt comes to Ashland after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater the past four years, including three seasons as the Bullets' defensive coordinator.

In addition to his defensive duties, Plantholt assisted Bullets' head coach Hank Jancyk with the implementation and development of offensive philosophies. Plantholt was also involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the lacrosse program at Gettysburg, serving as recruiting coordinator, monitoring the team's academics and conditioning, as well as game planning and on the field instruction.

"Randolph-Macon is very pleased to have attracted an outstanding young coach to take over the men's lacrosse program," said Kanach. "Mike played for and coached under the tutelage of Gettysburg's Hank Jancyk, one of the finest mentors around. Mike is comfortable with the academic rigors his students will face as well as the need to be competitive outside the classroom. He was the DIII Defensive Player of the Year and has successfully transitioned his passion for playing to one of teaching the game."

In 2006, Plantholt's defensive unit ranked first in Division III with a 5.26 goals-against average, besting his 2004 unit that ranked fourth with a 6.50 goals-against average. The 2006 squad featured three All-Centennial Conference defenders with two of them earning All-America status. In addition to his defensive duties, he also coaches the team's face-off specialists.

"I couldn't be more excited at the opportunity that Dean Franz and Coach Kanach have given me here at Randolph-Macon College," said Plantholt. "I am thrilled to be part of such an outstanding institution that has committed itself to academic and athletic excellence. In the weeks and months to come, I am looking forward to developing these student-athletes as both great lacrosse players and fine young men."

Plantholt broke into the coaching ranks as an assistant at Muhlenberg College from September of 2001 until May of 2002. During his year in the Mules' program, Plantholt served as the recruiting coordinator, working to put together the institution's inaugural team.

As a player, Plantholt was a three-time first-team All-CC choice, a two-time All-American and the 2001 USILA Division III Defenseman of the Year. The Cockeysville, Md., native helped the Bullets win four consecutive conference titles and, as a team captain in 2001, guided Gettysburg to its first-ever berth in the NCAA championship game.

Plantholt inherits a Yellow Jacket team that went 5-9 in 2006. Slated to return this season for R-MC is Seam-Team All-ODAC goalkeeper Brian Vierheller and second-team all-league defender Derek Murray.

[cphafner]

ASHLAND, VA – Randolph-Macon College Athletic Director Denis Kanach announced Tuesday the hiring of Mike Plantholt as the new head coach of the Yellow Jackets men's lacrosse program.

A 2001 graduate of Gettysburg College, Plantholt comes to Ashland after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater the past four years, including three seasons as the Bullets' defensive coordinator.

In addition to his defensive duties, Plantholt assisted Bullets' head coach Hank Jancyk with the implementation and development of offensive philosophies. Plantholt was also involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the lacrosse program at Gettysburg, serving as recruiting coordinator, monitoring the team's academics and conditioning, as well as game planning and on the field instruction.

"Randolph-Macon is very pleased to have attracted an outstanding young coach to take over the men's lacrosse program," said Kanach. "Mike played for and coached under the tutelage of Gettysburg's Hank Jancyk, one of the finest mentors around. Mike is comfortable with the academic rigors his students will face as well as the need to be competitive outside the classroom. He was the DIII Defensive Player of the Year and has successfully transitioned his passion for playing to one of teaching the game."

In 2006, Plantholt's defensive unit ranked first in Division III with a 5.26 goals-against average, besting his 2004 unit that ranked fourth with a 6.50 goals-against average. The 2006 squad featured three All-Centennial Conference defenders with two of them earning All-America status. In addition to his defensive duties, he also coaches the team's face-off specialists.

"I couldn't be more excited at the opportunity that Dean Franz and Coach Kanach have given me here at Randolph-Macon College," said Plantholt. "I am thrilled to be part of such an outstanding institution that has committed itself to academic and athletic excellence. In the weeks and months to come, I am looking forward to developing these student-athletes as both great lacrosse players and fine young men."

Plantholt broke into the coaching ranks as an assistant at Muhlenberg College from September of 2001 until May of 2002. During his year in the Mules' program, Plantholt served as the recruiting coordinator, working to put together the institution's inaugural team.

As a player, Plantholt was a three-time first-team All-CC choice, a two-time All-American and the 2001 USILA Division III Defenseman of the Year. The Cockeysville, Md., native helped the Bullets win four consecutive conference titles and, as a team captain in 2001, guided Gettysburg to its first-ever berth in the NCAA championship game.

Plantholt inherits a Yellow Jacket team that went 5-9 in 2006. Slated to return this season for R-MC is Seam-Team All-ODAC goalkeeper Brian Vierheller and second-team all-league defender Derek Murray.

I went to Gburg with Mike. He was a heck of a defender, and a nice guy to boot.