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MCLA Exclusive: University of Oregon Seeking New Head Coach

There are many things that make me proud to be a University of Oregon alumnus. The impeccable rise of the Ducks Football team into the national spotlight over the past few years; the long list of notable alumni I get the honor of having something in common with; the sheer fact that I moved to Eugene, Oregon all by myself and became a better, smarter person because of my four years there; that I regularly got to eat lunch in the same cafeteria in which Bluto started the Animal House food fight; honesty, the list goes on and on.

But you know what I’m most proud of? I am proud of having been a part of the University of Oregon Men’s Lacrosse Team. I think most former college lacrosse players would agree with me when I say, there is nothing quite better than looking back on your collegiate playing career and feeling proud of what you helped accomplish.

oregon campus

I attended the University of Oregon because I wanted a big school with a football team, a liberal vibe and a first-class sports business program, and that’s exactly what I expected to get. But during my first week as a freshman, I tried out for the “club” lacrosse team and making that team changed my life. I got to play collegiate lacrosse at the highest level I possibly could while attending an academic institution that completely fit my needs both inside and outside of the classroom. And for that, I’ll forever be thankful and proud.

Over the past few months there have been many questions surrounding the University of Oregon Men’s Lacrosse Team, and as an alum who has tried to stay close to the program, I have had the opportunity to be on the inside track. Will 2013 be the year for the Ducks? What does the new recruiting class look like? What will the 2013 uniforms look like? And most importantly, the question I want to tackle today, who’s the new head coach?

You see, just last May, after another PNCLL championship season and an MCLA National Tournament birth, the Oregon Ducks head coach, Joe Kerwin, stepped down. He did so for personal reasons and I won’t speak to those, but I will say that I respect Joe and I know the team he has departed respects him as well. Sometimes people change and they need to move on to new chapters in life – this was the case at Oregon, and Kerwin left a healthy and promising program intact.

Oregon Men's Lacrosse All Americans

Who’s at the helm come Fall Ball, or possibly even come spring time, is still to be determined, as the Ducks program as yet to name Joe’s successor.

Now some reading this may think it’s crazy not to have a coach lined up at this point, but I can tell you it’s for good reason. The administration in charge of selecting a new coach just hasn’t found the right candidate yet. There have been many inquiries about the job and several high caliber leads, but the ideal replacement the program needs hasn’t quite surfaced.

So, I write to everyone in the lacrosse community who will listen today as I try to do my part as an alumnus. My hope? That maybe, just maybe, the opportunity I speak of will resonate with someone well qualified who’s reading this and that they will get hungry for the chance. After all, you’ve got to consider the big picture here – being a Head Coach of any sport at the University Oregon is indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Here are just a few of the reasons why I think being the Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach is worth serious consideration:

– The team is coming off a 14-4 PNCLL conference championship season, their 7th in nine years.

– The team returns several MCLA All-Americans and all-conference selections for 2013

– Players get access to world-class facilities; turf practice and game fields, varsity training center

– Team Coordinators (MCLA teams are student organized) are hungry to do what it takes for a National Championship, and the team has the talent to match feet

– University support is at an all-time high, and will only get better with a diplomatic coach at the helm; program administration is overseen by the UO Club Sports Dept and also supported by UO Athletics

It is in my humble opinion that with the right coach, Oregon could even be the next Michigan. Yes, I am insinuating that if the right coach came along, Oregon could eventually make the jump to NCAA D1 Lacrosse. Want to know more about the program? The team website’s FAQ section explains a lot.

Below is the further information about the coaching search from Chris Osip of the Oregon Men’s Lacrosse program.

The University of Oregon Men’s Lacrosse Team is currently conducting a coaching search as Joe Kerwin stepped down from the Head Coach position following the end of last season. Coach Kerwin consistently provided exemplary leadership during his time at the helm of the program and I speak for the entire program when I say that it was a privilege to play for him. Everyone involved in the program wishes him luck in his future endeavors, though knowing his character I doubt he will need it.

This is a very exciting time for the University of Oregon lacrosse program. The team is coming off of a 14-4 season that ended in a close loss to Chapman in the MCLA Tournament. Returning for next year are multiple All-American selections as well as a several All-Conference players. The Ducks have won the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League title each of the last three years and fully expect to keep that streak going.

The coaching search is progressing nicely and we encourage all prospective candidates to submit a resume and cover letter to Chris Osip.

Contact:

Chris Osip
cosip@uoregon.edu
702-445-1771

Go Ducks!!!

——————–

UO Men’s Lacrosse, a member of MCLA Division I and the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League, seeks a head coach for the 2012-2013 season. The team is a seven-time PNCLL champion and has won the conference championship the last three years. The program has consistently proven itself to be among the MCLA’s elite, appearing in the national championship game in 2007 and making the MCLA tournament the last four seasons.-

A coach with prior NCAA/MCLA coaching and playing experience is preferred. The requirements are as follows:

• NCAA/MCLA playing experience at a high level with a good understanding of the college game.

• Preferably at least three years of coaching experience.

• Excellent communication skills, leadership abilities, self-control, and respect for others.

• The ability to work with and within the Club Sports administration in order to meet the team’s administrative and financial goals

• Flexible schedule and ability to travel.

• Recruiting experience.

• Scouting and game plan preparation.

• Practice planning and execution.

• Organizational assistance as needed.

• Monitoring of players academic performance.

• Experience fund raising.

Additionally, the head coach will likely be involved in the hiring of assistant coaches.

All applications will be reviewed immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resumé and cover letter for review. Salary: Negotiable based on experience. Appointment: Part-Time

Team/school/org. site: https://oregonlacrosse.org

Thank you for taking the time to read this as it’s an important matter to me personally, and I wanted to bring to the attention of the lacrosse community. If you know someone who might be a good fit for the Oregon program, please do pass the link to this article on to them. And finally, if you know of any other coaching jobs currently open at the collegiate or high school levels, or any other levels for that matter, please don’t hesitate to submit them to info@lacrosseallstars.com. We’ll do our best to get the word out.

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