As the PLL grows, so too does the need for more teams and coaches. Please understand that adding more teams isn’t about the number of talented players available – it’s about money. More teams will happen in time, and these are some of the possible coaches for those future PLL squads.
Last time, we looked at former MLL bosses who would make sense to lead a PLL roster. Now we look at some more interesting choices.
POSSIBLE PLL COACHES – PART 2: Let’s Make it Interesting
Former College COaches
Dave Pietramala kicks this list off the right way. He is iconic, legendary, enigmatic. He’s known as one of the greatest if not the best defender of all time and will remain synonymous with Johns Hopkins lacrosse for eternity. He also has a few ties to some key players in the PLL organization.
Pietramala departs as the winningest coach in Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse history. He compiled a record of 207-93 with 18 NCAA tournament appearances, seven trips to the final four (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2015), four appearances in the national championship game (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008) and the two national championships.
US Lacrosse Magazine
Jamie Munro is the right type of obsessive when it comes to lacrosse. He makes it his business to study the game, to understand the game, and then to share that information with anyone who will listen. The former Denver head coach, along with several impressive assistant coaching gigs, Jamie is the founder of JM3 sports and 3D Lacrosse, both of which I’m sure you’ve heard of. His impact on the game will be felt for generations as his coaching tree is quite impressive as well.
Current College Coaches
Scott Marr is universally loved by his players and respected by opposing coaches. Like John Tillman, Marr has several former players in the PLL, including some of the game’s biggest names. He has a deep respect for the game and a deeper understanding of people. I think he’d make a great fit and would be a coach every player in the league would want to play for. The question remains: can a current DI coach give the PLL the time it requires without sacrificing commitments to their college and sometimes national team responsibilities?
John Tillman is the current head coach at the University of Maryland and the simplest argument to have him in the league is that PLL rosters, especially championship ones, are littered with his former players. The caveat is that no current DI coach is a head coach in the PLL. See these ridiculous numbers courtesy of the UMD athletics department:
Tillman’s numbers since arriving in College Park in 2011 are impressive, leading the country in All-American selections (53), Major League Lacrosse draft selections (36), NCAA Tournament wins (21) and Final Fours (7) during that nine-year span.
Current/Recent PLL Assistants
Tony Resch. The PLL is filled with great assistants but if there was a fantasy draft, he’d be my first pick. I didn’t include him in the former MLL bosses post (Barrage 2005-2008), because if you know anything about Tony, his identity lies a tad more in the indoor game. He is an NLL Hall of Famer, who after playing coached the Wings and took them to the playoffs every single season he led the bench. Add on the fact that in his time with the Barrage, he won two championships in the MLL, and you have a guy who can literally coach any type of lacrosse player you put in front of him. His experience as a standout player and coach, along with his personality, make him one of the most respected guys in the game.
Ric Beardsley is, in short, an Alpha. I have a hard time seeing him as an assistant when everything in his DNA is to be the lead dog. I’m not surprised that Ric is in talks for a return to the PLL, where we will hopefully see him leading his own team this time around. If we get a team that’s even 50 percent of Ric’s energy and bravado, we’ll see attackmen retiring a few years early. I’ll leave it at that.
