Coaching Changes and Turnover

[Zeuslax]

Seems as if the CCLA has had a lot of coaching turnover this year. From what I've seen and heard, it looks as if 5 teams will have new head coach's going into this season.

1) Central
2) Ferris
3) Oakland
4) Mich State
5) IUP

Some have been replaced, but this list could be larger. I think it will be interesting to see how the turnover will impact those teams and the league. I think it is safe to say that all the above had successful campaigns last season.

[lil lady lax fan]

Eastern's coach is also relatively new. It will be interesting to see how they do this season.

[John Paul]

Miami and Indiana will also have new coaches. I haven't heard that Miami has found a replacement for Grant Neeley yet, but IU has hired Todd Boward, a former high school coach from Virginia who is moving to Bloomington with his family for the job. In my conversations with him this summer I've been very impressed. IU has done what more IA programs need to attempt by attracting an experienced coach through an interview process instead of just waiting for someone to appear locally.

Oakland did not downgrade at all. Ron Hebert, who takes over that program after being an assistant to Dwayne Hicks last year, is among the best coaches in Michigan or the midwest. Although they are losing Billy Binge, his step-son, they are gaining a head coach who has led Brother Rice and Cranbrook to state championships in high school lacrosse and was the only coach of Northwood University, the former NCAA Division II program in Michigan.

I'm excited about these two hires, not just for the two teams involved, but for the development of the CCLA.

[Ken Lovic]

wow, moving your family for the job.... what does IU and other MDIA teams (if they do) pay their coaches??? geez... My wife is still waiting to see how this coaching thing is "profitable" for us. She would love to see a check period for the time I spend coaching lacrosse.
I know our budget (GT) does not have a coaching stipend

[Zeuslax]

So far this brings the tally up to 8 teams with new coaches taking the helm. I would guess there could be more. Its nice to see that some of the teams are able to attract a coach, purely for lax reasons. This shows some of the strides being made by our league and club lacrosse.

Still the overiding factor is location of the University and $$$$. Schools such as Ferris and Central, with fairly good finacials, and leadership (on and off the field) still are inhibited by their location. In my opinion, the overriding factor seems to be the off the field organization. Also, the willingness to actively search for potential leads. Not that this makes the job any easier for most!!!

[tjmvp9]

At IUP, we had a head coach last year, but he stepped down right before the conference playoffs. He was more of an organizational figurehead, as our practices and games were run by our captains. As far as i know for this year, Jim Holleran (who was a captain and an attackman for us last year) will be our head coach. Jim will be a senior this year, but has run out of playing eligibility. Not much should be changing for us in this area, and if anything we should be better prepared now that Jim can concentrate solely on coaching.

[Mikelaw84]

What exactly are the eligibility guidlines? Are they set by the CCLA or USLIA?

[tjmvp9]

As far as i know (and feel free to correct me if I am mistaken) players in the USL-MDIA are only allowed 4 years of collegiate play (be it NCAA varsity experience, or another collegiate club league like the NCLL). I believe that is set by the league, and not just the CCLA. I also believe that policy, like many others, is consistent with the NCAA guidelines for varsity men's lacrosse.

[UMD Lax]

U of M –Dearborn has also been looking for a new coach since Dave Aktary stepped down to go back to school at Duke.

We have been interviewing numerous candidates and I’m happy to announce that we just hired our new Head Coach, Tim Gallagher.

Tim has been coaching lacrosse since 1993 and has held coaching positions in Texas, Ohio, and Michigan. His most recent Head Coaching position was at Cincinnati Country Day for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Tim recently relocated back to Michigan and helped out with Troy Athens during the spring of 2005 before landing the Head Coaching Position at UMD.

We are very happy with the addition of our new coach and look forward to the upcoming season. Good luck to the rest of the teams who are still searching.

[Zeuslax]

So far according to my count, this brings the total now up to 9 teams with new head coaches. Sounds as if most teams will not miss a beat with the additions of some outstanding replacements. (Not sure about assistants)

Ferris seems to have a commitment from our assistant coach from last year. He was a great help to myself and the program. Very committed to the program and its commitments.

Hopefully the communication strides that the league was plagued with 2 years ago, which were vastly improved last season. Don's resuface with all the new faces.

[Zeuslax]

The # is up to 10 now. I saw on US Lacrosee that Buffalo is looking for a coach too.

[lacrozstar3]