First Class Lacrosse Podcast

First Class Lacrosse
  • 5.0 (28)
  • Sports
  • Weekly

The official podcast of First Class Lacrosse! Checkout our newsletters Coaches Corner: https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe Weekly Thought: https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe On the Run: https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to First Class Lacrosse for more highlights, breakdowns & more: https://www.youtube.com/@firstclasslax?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstclasslacrosse/ Shop the latest FCL Merch here: https://www.1stclasslax.com/store

  1. 3d ago

    Chris Miller: Coaching Defense Through an Offensive Lens at Villanova

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn host the First Class Lacrosse podcast with guest Chris Miller, Villanova men’s lacrosse associate head coach and defensive coordinator, who has led top-20 scoring defenses since 2017 and was promoted last summer. Miller outlines Villanova’s fall structure (eight hours/week with lifting and segmented practices) and how teams ramp up through 20 hours, scrimmages, and refocusing afterward, while adjusting plans year to year. He recounts growing up in Albany, becoming a multi-sport athlete, and being influenced by teachers/coaches, then describes his transition from college attackman at Wesley to coaching, key mentors and lessons across multiple stops, and career sacrifices. He explains switching from offense to defense, teaching defenders offensive language, concepts like pairs offense adjustments, and discusses the crowbar takeaway technique and its officiating. The conversation closes on recruiting truths about “the market,” fit, transparency, and consistency. Timecodes 0:00 Intro 0:45 - Fall at Villanova 4:50 - Lacrosse Journey 11:30 - Attackman Turned Coach 19:45 - The Coaching Journey 28:20 - Why He Coaches 30:00 - Switching to Defense 37:00 - The Crowbar Debate 45:45 - Coaching the Mental Side 53:15 - Recruiting's Tough Truths -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  2. Oct 23

    Ryan Wellner: Defensive Mastery and the Essence of Connection

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn host Ryan Wellner, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator and recruiter, to discuss connection, coaching, recruiting, and defense. Wellner reflects on a LinkedIn post arguing real connection isn’t transactional, discusses phones and socialization, and shares how mentors at Chaminade shaped his values. He outlines his playing and early work experiences, coaching start in England, operations work in the NLL, and a career path through Chaminade, Merchant Marine, Stevens, Washington and Lee, Stony Brook, Navy, and Notre Dame, including sacrifices required in coaching and the need to stay professional because coaches are always evaluated. Wellner explains his defensive approach as confrontational, predictable, and simplified, emphasizes on-ball defense and movement/IQ, and addresses recruiting strategy, advising families to prioritize being coached by college staffs, targeted camps/events, demonstrated interest, and preparation for accelerating timelines and limited roster spots. Timecodes 0:00 - Connections 10:45 - LAX Journey 43:00 - Coaching Thoughts 50:45 - Defensive Mindset 1:03:00 - Building IQ 1:12:30 - Recruiting Thoughts -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  3. Oct 16

    John Galloway: From Championship Goalie To A Decade Of Jacksonville Lacrosse

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn host John Galloway, Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse head coach and highly decorated former Syracuse goalie, to discuss his playing and coaching journey and how he builds program culture. Galloway shares what he’d do outside sports, his Syracuse recruiting and freshman transition, and lessons from West Genesee mentors, including responding to adversity after not making varsity as a sophomore. He reflects on the 2009 national title comeback vs. Cornell, what he learned in pro lacrosse and with Team USA, and balancing playing while coaching. Galloway explains how Duke and Providence shaped his coaching, Jacksonville’s identity (toughest, most connected, best conditioned), methods like no phones and constraints-led drills, and how counseling training informs his communication and leadership, plus advice for goalies on differentiation beyond saves. Timecodes0:00 - Intro3:00 - Early Influences10:45 - Syracuse & Pro Career25:00 - Masters In Coaching29:00 - Building Jacksonville40:45 - State of Student Athletes50:45 - Shooting Rules & Communication1:02:00 - Goalie Recruitment Advice -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  4. Oct 9

    Tim McCormack: Growing Up A Goalie To Hopkins WLAX Coach

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn welcome Tim McCormack, head women’s lacrosse coach at Johns Hopkins, and review his path from UMass All-American goalie to Northwestern assistant under Kelly Amonte Hiller, Arizona State head coach, and Johns Hopkins leader since 2022, where the Blue Jays set a program-record 17 wins and reached championship weekend. McCormack describes the steep learning curve transitioning into the women’s game, emphasizing authenticity, relationship-building, and confidence-building differences he observed versus coaching boys. He recounts growing up on Long Island, becoming a goalie at age five, and developing broad stick skills through constant play. The conversation focuses on his coaching evolution: creating decision-heavy, principles-based practice environments, using constraints and point systems, leveraging trust and player ownership, managing accountability through core values and principles, embracing “messy” gameplay, and offering recruiting advice around strengths, comparisons, and social media. Timecodes0:00 - Intro 6:15 - Growing Up A Goalie 27:45 - Coaching Journey 46:30 - Coaching Principals 1:00:00 - Leadership Trust 1:06:00 - Recruiting Landscape Today -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  5. Oct 2

    Dave Pietramala: Coaching Philosophy, Defensive Insights & The Desire To Compete

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn host Coach Dave Pietramala, UNC’s defensive coordinator and former Johns Hopkins head coach, reviewing his accolades as an elite defender and championship coach. Pietramala recounts starting lacrosse late, switching from midfield to defense using basketball footwork principles, developing stick skills through constant reps and watching others, and his favorite over-the-head check. He discusses what drives high-level success—compete level and working through discomfort—then reflects on guarding Gary Gait and why Gait changed the game. Pietramala explains translating playing experience into coaching through fundamentals, adapting to personnel, and teaching defensive approaches with game-like drills and coordination with strength staff. He outlines his coaching path, key mentors, emphasis on gratitude and relationships, first head-coaching challenges, and critiques early and current recruiting while emphasizing relationship-based recruiting and finding the right families. Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 7:30 - Player Journey 16:00 - Desire To Compete 27:00 - Transition To Coaching 34:30 - Gratitude & Asking For Help 46:30 - Nerding Out On Defense 52:00 - Player Development & Recruiting -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  6. Sep 25

    Michelle Tumolo: Navigating Coaching and Culture at Army West Point

    On the First Class Lacrosse podcast, Deemer Class and Matt Dunn interview Army West Point head coach Michelle Tumolo, covering her path from starting lacrosse just before ninth grade to becoming a Tewaaraton finalist at Syracuse, Team USA World Cup gold medalist and 2017 All-World selection, pro player, and coach at Florida, Syracuse, Oregon, Wagner, and Army (hired June 2021). Tumolo explains how basketball and soccer shaped her vision and passing, her rapid development through camps and club, and key Syracuse memories, including early physicality and a comeback win vs Florida, plus the program’s coaching tree. She details her coaching philosophy of authenticity, communication, belief, and high standards, including supporting cadet-athletes’ demanding schedules. Tumolo also discusses practice structure, daily stickwork, skill development, X usage, two-man game emphasis, man/zone defenses, and learning from other sports and Sixes coaching, plus playing pickup hockey at West Point. Timecodes 0:00 - Sports Journey 5:00 - Syracuse Experience 12:15 - Coaching Philosophy 27:00 - Coaching at West Point 33:30 - X's & O's 45:45 - Player Development 55:40 - Keep Learning & Ice Hockey -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  7. Sep 4

    John Odierna: Embracing Change at Fairfield & Obsessing Over the Details

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn welcome John Odierna, newly appointed head coach of Fairfield men’s lacrosse, formerly Syracuse’s defensive coordinator after back-to-back Final Four runs, with prior stints at Manhattan, Stevens, and Colby. Odierna describes a whirlwind summer of a lengthy interview process, rapid onboarding, recruiting and scheduling demands, concurrent staff searches, and becoming a father to son Brooks. He recounts starting lacrosse late after his father’s death, switching to defense, developing at Gettysburg, and learning coaching through multiple programs and mentors. The conversation emphasizes player-led culture, consistent standards, and Fairfield’s notable zero transfers after the coaching change. Odierna outlines staff-building priorities—connection and communication—and his CEO-style head coaching role. He also discusses man-down “Junkyard Dogs,” defensive fundamentals (approaches, trailing, communication), multi-sport benefits, and recruiting advice on avoiding comparisons and communicating appropriately. Timecodes 0:00 - New Baby, New Job 7:00 - Lacrosse Journey 35:00 - Taking Over At Fairfield 50:30 - Defensive Talk 1:05:00 - Multi-Sport Athletes 1:12:30 - Practical Advice -- Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

  8. Aug 28

    Kyle Hayes: "The Big Time Is Where Your At" + The Recruitment Landscape In 2026

    Deemer Class and Matt Dunn return to the First Class Lacrosse podcast for the fall and welcome new FCL team member Kyle Hayes, a Long Island native and former college coach who most recently served as LIU’s offensive coordinator. Hayes recounts learning lacrosse late in high school after playing basketball and baseball, his college experience including the MCLA and its administrative responsibilities, and his decade-long coaching path from part-time roles to full-time positions at Misericordia, Babson, Manhattanville (as head coach), and LIU at the Division I level. The group discusses beginner challenges centered on stick skills, the benefits of multi-sport decision-making, and coaching lessons about networking, trust, and preparation. They also examine recruiting amid five years of eligibility and roster caps, emphasizing fewer spots, parity, evaluation stages, authenticity on visits, and the importance of fit and open-mindedness. Checkout more from FCL! Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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The official podcast of First Class Lacrosse! Checkout our newsletters Coaches Corner: https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe Weekly Thought: https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe On the Run: https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to First Class Lacrosse for more highlights, breakdowns & more: https://www.youtube.com/@firstclasslax?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstclasslacrosse/ Shop the latest FCL Merch here: https://www.1stclasslax.com/store

Information

  • Creator
    First Class Lacrosse
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © First Class Lacrosse
  • Show Website
    First Class Lacrosse Podcast

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