Coaching Philosophy

Great teams are built by focusing on fundamentals and culture. For lacrosse, the fundamentals are face-offs, ground balls, passing, catching, shooting, riding, clearing, team defense and goaltending. These are the aspects of the game that will be drilled repetitively as we strive for excellence.  AACS Lacrosse will be known for maximum effort, high tempo transitions, relentless riding, aggressive pursuit of ground balls, and tenacious team defense. We will never, ever, give up.

Culture will focus on effort, excellence, commitment and caring.

Effort – In the short run, effort helps to compensate for lack of talent.   In the long run, effort always beats talent. We will give maximum effort. 


Excellence – We will strive for excellence and get better every day. 


Commitment – We will be more than just involved; we will be committed. 


Caring – Relationships are the foundation on which winning teams are built, and all great relationships are based on value, love, trust and care.  We will care more. When you care more, you give a little more time, a little more effort, a little more energy, and a little more love to the people and things you care about. 


Standards for Players

Be a great teammate.  Respect your teammates, care for your teammates and sacrifice for your teammates.  Make your teammates better.


No profanity; No complaining; No whining; No energy vampires. 


One hundred percent effort during every practice, scrimmage and games. 


Don’t talk when coaches are talking. Listen when coaches are talking. 


Don’t argue with referees or coaches; address problems through position leaders and captains. Coaches will address rule interpretations with referees.


Players will be humble winners and gracious losers.

Act in a way that brings honor to self, family, AACS, and God.

Coaches Role

Set the example.
Set the direction.
Set the standards.
Set the climate.
Set the alignment.
Confront the unexpected.


Standards for Coaches

Demonstrate integrity at all times.
Treat players with love and respect.
Be well prepared for practices and games.
Communicate frequently with team captains and position leaders.
Make just and fair decisions.
Help players with their school, faith, and life goals.
Act in a way that brings honor to self, family, AACS, and God.

Parents’ Role

Provide transportation as required to have players arrive on time for games/practices.

Cheer for their son and the team.  Don’t be a critic.

Respect officials and opponents.

Refrain from coaching from the stands.

Encourage players to speak for themselves.

Act in a way that brings honor to self, family, AACS, and God and expect their child to do the same.

Five-year Vision

1. Be a perennial competitor for the MIAA conference championship.
2. Be known in the State as a team of champions, on and off the field: competitive, relentless effort, teamwork, humble in victory, gracious in defeat.
3. Develop players who are seen as men of character and followers of Christ, successfully graduating from AACS, achieving their post-high school plans and positively contributing to their communities. 
4. Graduate 2-5 players each year who continue to play at the collegiate level.
5. At least 4 players will be selected annually for All-County/Conference honors.

I did not set a goal or vision of winning the championship.  I will rarely talk about winning to my players. Instead, my focus and time spent will be on emphasizing competing in each game and developing champions: Christian athletes competing with effort, character, grit, selflessness, leadership, belief and work ethic.  In the end, sports is ultimately about character development. If we can develop champions, the team will win championships. But more important, we will have helped raise up our players to be contributing members of their communities, walking with Christ.