Coaches Calls

This one’s for the defensive minds.Former National Lacrosse League champion defender and current Georgia Swarm assistant coach Alex Crepinsek joins the podcast for a conversation about the modern box game — how it’s played, how it’s coached, and how teams are building identity behind the scenes.Crepinsek talks about the transition from player to coach and how the Swarm have developed their fast, aggressive defensive style. He shares insight into the culture inside the organization, the influence of owner John Arlotta and his family-first philosophy, and how young players like Brett Dobson are growing within a veteran-driven locker room.The conversation also digs into how technology is changing the game — from video review and challenges to the analytics and tools that are starting to shape coaching decisions and player development across the league.And like any good lacrosse story, it goes back to junior. Crepinsek looks back at his days with the Burlington Chiefs and their historic Minto Cup win, and the coaches who helped push that group past expectations.A conversation about defense, culture, preparation, and where the game is headed next.Follow on X @BradChall | Instagram @BradChalloner

Maybe the youngest coach in the National Lacrosse League, Brett Hickey is the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Desert Dog and Raiders LC of the Rocky Mountain Junior League, bringing his own system-driven style and a fresh perspective to both teams. Not far removed from his own playing career where he scored over 200 goals playing under some of the game’s best coaches. In this episode, Hix takes us inside the evolution of the Vegas offense… how complementary pieces matter more than star power… and coaching players who see the game three steps ahead — like Jeff Teat, whose strategic mind has changed the way Brett coaches. And yeah — we get into the “12 round fighter” mentality, the push toward the Minto Cup, and what happens when young players finally stop memorizing answers and start solving the game. Follow on X @BradChall | Instagram @BradChalloner

Randy Mearns wiped his Instagram clean recently — a sure sign of rebirth.Last summer, Mearns was let go as head coach of St. Bonaventure’s men’s lacrosse program — a team he helped build from scratch over nine years, just as it was gaining momentum and producing NLL talent year after year.So what’s next?Mearnsi Lacrosse and a new role with the Greek National Team chasing a spot at the 2028 LA Olympics in Sixes. And the same lifelong mission: developing better players, teammates, and humans.From 17 seasons as head coach at Canisius to five Mann Cups as a player, a Minto Cup with St. Catharines, captaining an NLL champion Knighthawks team, and helping Team Canada win multiple world championship golds — Randy Mearns has done it all.In Part Two of this conversation, we dream big about the future of NCAA lacrosse, NLL lacrosse and where Randy’s next steps may be.Follow on X @BradChall | Insta @BradChalloner Guest @CoachMearns | @CoachMearns

Randy Mearns wiped his Instagram clean recently — a sure sign of rebirth.Last summer, Mearns was let go as head coach of St. Bonaventure’s men’s lacrosse program — a team he helped build from scratch over nine years, just as it was gaining momentum and producing NLL talent year after year.So what’s next?Mearnsi Lacrosse and a new role with the Greek National Team chasing a spot at the 2028 LA Olympics in Sixes. And the same lifelong mission: developing better players, teammates, and humans.From 17 seasons as head coach at Canisius to five Mann Cups as a player, a Minto Cup with St. Catharines, captaining an NLL champion Knighthawks team, and helping Team Canada win multiple world championship golds — Randy Mearns has done it all.In Part One of this conversation, we dive into coaching at every level — NCAA, Team Canada, U19, and Team Greece — recruiting, the Olympic dream, and what comes after getting fired from the program you built.Follow on X @BradChall | Insta @BradChalloner Guest @CoachMearns | @CoachMearns

What if you took a lifetime of lacrosse lessons and turned it into a blog to inspire and motivate people to live a more purposeful and present life? That’s what Marty Dinsdale is doing with Zero Zero. A multiple NLL champion, Minto Cup winner, and one of the cleanest players to ever suit up (28 penalty minutes over 10 seasons — never a major), Dinsdale played the game the right way. Since retiring from the NLL in 2023, he’s embraced new challenges: a career shift, raising two kids, pushing himself, and sharing his mindset through thoughtful, motivating writing.In this episode we unpack the philosophy behind Zero Zero — a mindset rooted in the idea that the score is always 0–0. No matter what just happened, the next play is all that matters in lacrosse and in life. We talk culture, leadership, parenting, personal growth, and what it really means to live deliberately, not perfectly.Follow Marty’s journey at The Zero Zero Mentality on WordPress or via Instagram @dinsdale.matt Follow on X @BradChall | Instagram @BradChalloner or email [email protected]

Matt Beers is grizzled in every sense of the word. NLL champion, Captain, leader and soon to be the most penalized player in National Lacrosse League history. But he’s okay with that. Without the PIMS he wouldn’t be him. He wouldn’t be that guy feared by opponents and loved by teammates and coaches. 19ish pro fights, 3 trips to the finals, he’s rode the highest highs and felt the lowest lows in the NLL. Now also the Head Coach of the Langley Junior Thunder, he’s bringing that experience and intensity to the next generation of lacrosse talent. On this episode we’ll walk through some of his most memorable fights, what throwing down still means to the game, honing his intensity and why you should never pass a ball near Ryan Dilks. Matt Beers plays for the Vancouver Warriors in the NLL.Follow on X @BradChall | Instagram @BradChallonerInquiries [email protected]

Is Adam Mueller a lost legend of lacrosse — or simply the keeper of an American vision that the NLL could use today?Adam Mueller is the 2008 NLL Les Bartley Award winner for Coach of the Year, and his influence lives on through the countless players, coaches, and programs he’s helped shape over a lifetime in lacrosse.The kid from Jersey went on to coach the Philadelphia Wings, Minnesota Swarm, and most notably build the New York Titans — a team that played out of Madison Square Garden, traded for Matt Vinc, and helped turn Casey Powell and Ryan Boyle into box lacrosse stars. The Titans became the last great NLL team built around a predominantly American roster — a bold vision rooted in belief, development, and opportunity. Could that vision still succeed in today’s game?Though Mueller stepped away from the NLL in 2008, his mission never changed. He continues to develop the next generation of American box players as a co-coach with Penn Lax Platinum, while also bringing perspective from an 11-season NLL playing career and his role as head coach of Team USA’s indoor national team in 2015.In this episode, we explore The American Vision through Adam Mueller’s coaching journey — the mentors who shaped him, the players who believed in it, and the philosophy that guided him across every level of the game. This is a conversation about what it takes to build something meaningful — not just winning teams, but a lasting legacy in lacrosse.Follow on X @BradChall | Insta @BradChalloner

Jake Elliott is the premiere play-by-play announcer in the sport of lacrosse. Guiness hasn’t stamped it yet, but no-one has called more lacrosse games. Period. WLA, Junior A, Mintos, Manns, Presidents Cups, World Championships, and holding down two play-by-play jobs in the National Lacrosse League with Vancouver and Las Vegas. But did you know he was a college attackman, WLA heavy weight fighter, NLL scout and Junior ‘A’ coach? On this podcast we give flowers to Jumbo. Clip it! Follow on X @BradChall | Insta @BradChallonerGuest @PxP4Sports @LaxClassPodcast

Jordan Hall has a sweet gig. He’s the Offensive Coordinator & Director of Player Personnel for the San Diego Seals of the NLL. A west coast boy made good in the east but now coaching in sunny San Diego and with Team Canada Sixes. A chance to work with the Merrill brothers and Joe Tsai, living the lacrosse dream. From the mean streets of Surrey to a number one overall pick in the NLL in 2007, he put together a solid 14-year career winning an NLL championship with Georgia in 2017. New York, Orlando, Rochester, Philly, New England and Georgia he was always in demand and always made every team he touched better, a leader with an off-the-charts lacrosse IQ, he was the guy every coach trusted in every situation, he carved out a career defined by intelligence, grit, and creativity. And now, he's bringing that same vision and voice into coaching—shaping the next wave of talent with a mindset that’s as modern as it is authentic. On this podcast we dive into the coaches who left a mark, how to do everything well and finding your lacrosse superpower. Follow on X @BradChall | Insta @BradChalloner

Ian Llord knows how to win.Nicknamed the “Llord of the Rings” by the Fort Erie Times, Ian built a career defined by championships—NLL titles, Mann Cups, a Minto, a Prezzy, and now provincial and national championships as a coach. A Top 10 all-time leader in NLL games played, he’s seen every era, system, and rule change the game has thrown his way.Back with the Rochester Knighthawks chasing one more championship, the underappreciated legend joins the show to talk longevity, adapting across generations, Rule 67.16 and shot-blocking in the crease, coaching your own kids, and playing in the Darris Kilgour defensive system that changed the game forever.Follow X @BradChall | Instagram @BradChalloner

Tyrell Hamer- Jackson is one of the most popular players in the National Lacrosse League. One of the most followed lacrosse influencers on the planet, a fan favorite and an entrepreneur – but he’s never played a full season in the NLL. His is a story of perseverance. Being one of the games most recognizable faces, while simultaneously scrapping to become a full-timer comes with some built-in weight but the Las Vegas Desert Dog face-off specialist is going about it in a calculated and serious way. This is Coaches Calls; Conversations with the leaders of lacrosse, a place where we get deeper into the insights and philosophies behind some of lacrosse’s greatest minds, and the most followed NLL player on social media is no doubt a leader of lacrosse. On this episode we’ll break down the art of the faceoff, 7-hour roundtrips to practice, how he’s teaching the next generation of face-off specialists, and how you never know who’s watching. Follow: Instagram @BradChalloner | X @BradChallGuest: Instagram + Tik Tok @tyrellhj | Website: Loading Lacrosse

Goats recognize Goats and lacrosse broadcasting legend John Gurtler has had a front row seat to watch the evolution of John Tavares and the Buffalo Bandits as their lead Play-By-Play Voice for the past 21 years. A team in the midst of a three-peat and vying to become the first team in NLL history to win 4 consecutive titles. Gurtler is the reigning NLL Media Person of the Year and has called a record over 400 consecutive games for the league's most storied and popular franchise. On this episode we'll talk about what makes Tavares such a great coach, how the Bandits can remain on top, and peak behind the pipes of one of the most famous voices in the sport. Follow: Instagram ⁠@BradChalloner ⁠| X⁠ @BradChall ⁠Watch: The NLL on NLL+ and TSN.

Andrew McBride is the defensive coordinator for the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League … again. A team that has missed the playoffs in the two years since he wasn’t behind the bench of the team that went to back-to-back league finals, in his last two seasons coaching before taking some time away with his family. He’s an underdog, a captain, a champion and a coach. In this podcast we’ll talk about what winning a Minto would mean for Alberta, how the rag tag Ladner Pioneers lit his lacrosse fire, and how he's changed and how he’ll be a better coach heading into this NLL season. Follow: Instagram @BradChalloner | X @BradChall Watch: The NLL on NLL+ and TSN.

Dane Dobbie was one of the fiercest competitors the lacrosse world has ever seen and this summer he announced his retirement from playing the game he loves but is immediately taking on a management role with the Calgary Roughnecks – the Lacrosse Operations Adviser for the team he played 13 seasons for and won two championships with. My broadcasting career started in the BC Junior ‘A’ League in 2007 when Dane Dobbie was playing for the then dynasty Burnaby Lakers under Curt Malawsky and even then, he was the Dane Dobbie we came to know in the NLL. Ridiculous stick skills and creativity, the grit to be punished with and without the ball, the IQ and the compete that stayed with him throughout his entire NLL career. The spirit of the game personified. The type of players you love to watch play the game. He’s retiring 10th all-time in points in the NLL, 6th in goals and 1st all time in playoff goals where legends are made. He’ll be the first to tell you those numbers will come if you hang around long enough, but he was of the players that you’ll remember for much more than that. There were so many Dane Dobbie moments throughout his career – especially in the later years – that will go down in lacrosse lore. He’s a warrior that’s been through it all and seen it all and know he’ll bring that expertise to the Roughnecks as he helps Josh Sanderson and Mike Board bring back a winning Roughneck culture to the exceptional lacrosse city of Calgary, Alberta. On this episode we’ll talk about the ingredients that made up his most successful teams, where his unrivaled competitiveness came from and why it’s ‘heart’ above everything. Dane Dobbie is on Coaches Calls, thanks for listening. Follow: Instagram @BradChalloner | X @BradChall

The shorter the bio, the greater the man. Simply, John Tavares is the GOAT. The National Lacrosse League’s all-time leader in goals and points. He won 4 championships as a player with the Buffalo Bandits and another 8 Mann Cups while casually summering north of the 49th. But in recent years, he’s found equal, if not even more success as a head coach. He just completed the NLL’s second ever 3-peat. Winning back-to-back-to-back championships with the Bandits. And now he’s simultaneously trying to do the same with his Six Nations Chiefs. The back-to-back Mann Cup champions are trying to make it a 3-peat as they descend on New Westminster later this week to face the Salmonbellies in the 2025 Mann Cup. In this episode, we’ll talk about JT’s memories of winning the Mann Cup in New West as a player and as a coach, his thoughts on the current state of summer lacrosse and Mann Cup roster construction, and why it’s so tough to stay on top. Follow on Instagram: @BradChalloner | X @BradChallWatch the 2025 Mann Cup: https://playfullscreen.com/

What does it mean to be a lax rat? New Westminster Salmonbellies head coach Jason Bishop played in the 1995 Mann Cup, falling to the Six Nations Chiefs at Queen's Park Arena. He's now the head coach of the Salmonbellies who will host the 2025 Mann Cup at - you guessed it - Queen's Park Arena. A 30-year shot at redemption for the life long lacrosse obsessed player's coach. In this episode we'll talk about his diet of film, how coaches can enter 'the zone,' and how he's excited to get to the arena every single day for a game or practice. Follow Instagram: @BradChalloner | X @BradChallPrevious Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/jason-bishop/id1714388311?i=1000683817470

I bet you didn’t know that Mike Keenan’s first ever coaching gig was the high school lacrosse coach at Toronto’s Don Mills Collegiate. He grew up playing lacrosse in Whitby/Oshawa and the rest is history. Mike Keenan is one of the most successful coaches ever. He began his hockey coaching career at Forest Hill Collegiate in Toronto, and his star ascended rapidly. He won an Ontario championship in junior with Peterborough, a Canadian university championship with the University of Toronto, and a Calder Cup in the AHL with Rochester. In the NHL, he took Philadelphia (twice) and Chicago to the Stanley Cup final before he led the New York Rangers to the title. Along the way, he led Team Canada to two Canada Cup victories, and later in his career won a Kontinental Hockey League championship in Magnitogorsk, Russia. He is still coaching today, with the Italian national team. Mike Keenan coached some of the greatest stars in hockey and is remembered as one of the game’s most colourful personalities.His book Iron Mike is out now, and, on this podcast, we talk about what he brought to hockey from lacrosse, line juggling and experimentation on the ice, if his methods would work today and why Gretzky to Lemieux was such a wild concept back in the day.You can find Iron Mike, My Life Behind the Bench wherever you buy books. Or here --> Follow on X @BradChall and Instagram @BradChallonerEmail [email protected]

I grew up in Ladner, and I wear that with pride. But whatever Four Winds-drinking, potato-munching, flatland patriotism I can muster is nothing compared to Logan Schuss. I’ve watched him grow up. I even played a bit of lacrosse with his older brother, Carlton, and Logan was always there. Thursday night Pioneer games, Friday night Junior A games, mid-week Intermediate B, Peewee, Novice, or Tyke at Ladner Arena—Logan Schuss was just always there. From the time he was 10, we all knew he was going places. And that place ended up being The Ohio State University on a field lacrosse scholarship—something that didn’t happenmuch around here. Then came the 1st overall draft pick in the NLL, Rookie of the Year, 10 successful seasons and over 500 pro points as a deceptive shooter. Later, he became a body-banger, but always an amazing teammate. A couple of summers ago, Logan took over as the General Manager of the Junior A Delta Islanders. And when it came time to find a new coach this offseason? He hired himself. It was a no-brainer. Logan is the guy to take this team to the next level. The guy who’s already raised the bar and shown the world what a Ladner lacrosse player can accomplish is now going to do it for the next generation. The organization is in great hands, and I can’t wait to see what he does with this team. I think we’ll see a different side of Logan on this podcast. He’s one of the lightest, most loveable dudes in the game, buthe’s also a thoughtful and intelligent leader. He’s taking this role seriously, and I know he’ll build the Junior Islanders into a powerhouse. The rink rat from the flatlands is on Coaches Calls. Thanks for listening.Email [email protected] on X @BradChall Instagram @BradChalloner

One of the NLL's unsung heroes. A man behind the curtain. Jeremy Tallevi, an assistant coach alongside Derek Keenan for over two decades, is an unsung personality in the league. His career began as a young scout during the Toronto Rock's Les Bartley dynasty era. He then coached the Western Mustangs in the CUFLA for 20 years, winning multiple Baggataway Cup national championships. His coaching experience spans all levels—tykes, minors, juniors, seniors, and pros—culminating in the insightful leadership he demonstrates today. He's also been instrumental in growing the sport in less traditional lacrosse hotbeds like London and Wallaceburg.His second stint with the Saskatchewan Rush began in 2018 as defensive coordinator. He's worked closely with his young, talented roster to help the team try and return to the postseason and restore winning ways in Saskvegas.In this podcast, we discuss his approach to film and game preparation, defensive strategies, offensive and defensive players to emulate, and the importance of positivity within the team.Follow on Instagram @BradChallonerX @BradChallEmail [email protected]

Every team has its unsung heroes. Its people behind the curtain. Its secret weapons. Sean Ferris has been one of those guys since the 90s! The NLL's International Man of Mystery, and that's part of the reason this podcast exists: to shine a light on some of these legends, pick their brains, and tell their stories, honoring their impact on the game. Sean Ferris started as a scout in the NLL during the Les Bartley-led Toronto Rock dynasty and carries Bartley's coaching legacy into the game today. Usually linked with his bestie, Eddie Comeau, he's been an assistant coach alongside Comeau in the NLL for over 20 years! Together, they've coached the Rochester Knighthawks, New York and Orlando Titans, Colorado Mammoth, and currently the Georgia Swarm. This Burlington native has won six championships in total with the Rock, Knighthawks, and Swarm. He's also a multiple World Championships, working behind the scenes with Team Canada as their Team Supervisor—a role as mysterious as it sounds. If you've ever met Ferris, he's one of the most outgoing and personable people in the game—but he absolutely loves flying under the radar and hates talking about himself. I'll try to get some nuggets out of him. What I hope comes across is that he's a guy who pays attention to detail. Sometimes it's just as important to take care of players and teams off the floor as it is on the floor. He lives by that: take care of your players, and your players will take care of you. He was a Presidents Cup champion as a player, specializing in defense, and is currently the defensive coach for the Swarm. Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner and X @BradChall Email [email protected]

It’s always fun talking to the O and D coaches in the NLL. The real lax rats. They always bring a very open and honest dialogue about what they’re up to, all in an effort to grow the game. They’re passionate and they see the game from a unique angle. Today is one of the goods guys of the game. NLL superfan as we’ll learn, but always one of the just the nicest dudes to see at the arena, O coach for the NLL 2022 Champion Colorado Mammoth, Jason Bishop. He’s also the head coach of the legendary New Westminster Salmonbellies in the WLA. Bishop is heading into his fourth season with the Mammoth, and what magic he’s brought to the team so far. Since joining the Mammoth in October 2021, he’s helped lead them to incredible success, including a 2021-22 NLL Championship win and two trips to the Finals in just three years. Bish has been instrumental in transforming the Mammoth’s identity, turning them from a defense-first team into a dynamic offensive powerhouse. His innovative ideas and ability to motivate and elevate his players has made him a real weapon on the bench. Before stepping into coaching, Jason spent five seasons as the Mammoth’s western scout, honing his skills in analyzing players and breaking down opponents. And if that’s not enough, he’s got over 20 years of coaching experience in Canadian lacrosse, where he’s guided teams to multiple provincial and national championships. The move to the WLA in the summer of 2024 was to take on a new challenge and get even better as a coach, we’ll talk about that here. As a player, he was a career D guy, competing with the Nanaimo Timbermen and New Westminster Salmonbellies, where he played in the Presidents Cup and the Mann Cup. On this podcast we’ll dive into some of his offensive principals, and how he’s helped shape the Mammoth into one of the most exciting teams in the NLL. Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner and on X @BradChall Email [email protected]

Dan Carey is the first and only General Manager and VP of lacrosse operations for the NEW incarnation of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. A role in which he oversees all aspects of lacrosse operations, including team services, player acquisitions, and personnel development. He was named the NLL’s GM of the Year in 2023. The team has made back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. Carey previously spent three years with the Colorado Mammoth, serving as general manager. Before becoming GM, Carey was the Mammoth’s director of player personnel, managing scouting and player development. He joined the organization as an eastern scout following a standout five-year playing career with the Mammoth. Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Carey earned NLL All-Star honors in his first three seasons and was pivotal in the Mammoth’s 2006 Champion’s Cup win. He concluded his career with the Toronto Rock in 2012, retiring with 89 goals and 147 assists in 60 games. In his home and native land Carey won three Mann Cups with his cherished Peterborough Lakers and was named MVP in 2006. Internationally, he earned gold with Team Canada at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship and now serves as GM of Canada’s national men’s field lacrosse programs, earning a silver medal in 2023. The man has had some of the coolest jobs lacrosse has to offer. We’ll talk about that and what he brings to the organizations he’s been involved with, what it was like coaching a young Jeff Teat and his vision for building a winning team. Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner Email [email protected]

Merry Christmas! We just passed our one-year anniversary, so thanks to everyone who has downloaded, subscribed, commented, and listened to an episode. I appreciate you, thanks for an amazing year. It’s that time of year when stockings are filled with lacrosse balls, and kids are unwrapping awesome new gloves and shafts from under the tree. Most years, we get a little mini-break from the NLL, but because Christmas falls mid-week this year, we're keeping the momentum going full tilt. There were games last weekend, and there will be games this weekend! So hopefully, you can reset and get a little mini break with your family and friends before jumping back into work or lacrosse. I hope 2025 is your best year yet! As we look back on 2024, one of the biggest stories in the lacrosse world was Curt Malawsky coming home. The reigning Head Coach of the Year left his longtime love and a championship calibre roster, the Calgary Roughnecks, for a bigger purpose: to grow the game of lacrosse in BC by trying to establish a tradition of excellence at the helm of BC's pro lacrosse team, the Vancouver Warriors. I'd say it was a great first season. They won 6 of their final 8 games, finishing with an 8-10 record, and were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs only by a million different tie-breaking scenarios. But he did a lot of what he set out to do: turn Vancouver into a winner, give the fans some hope, and give the kids in the crowd something to aspire to. Curt was on the show last Christmas Day… he's a real family man… so I wanted to have him again at the same time of year as we reflect and then look forward, hopefully providing you with some inspiring Mouse-isms to start the year. It's the second annual Christmas with Curt on Coaches Calls. A big thanks to the people who support the show each week and allow it to arrive on your phones for free. Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner Email [email protected]

With his long stride and familiar gait, it's hard to miss Robert Hope on a lacrosse floor. He also gets loud and takes it as a compliment like any good defender should. He's an NLL champion, World champion, multiple Mann Cup champion and one of the longest serving captains in the NLL today. He's been one of the league's best defenders for a decade. He's also the head coach of the Peterborough Junior A Lakers, a role he took to give back to the community that's given him so much. On this episode we ponder "are the Mammoth back?" After going to back-to-back NLL Finals, the Mammoth missed the post season for the first time in Hope's career last season. What does this refreshed group need to do to find success again and what hard lessons were learned. We talk about Sidney Crosby, the importance of constant improvement and how that differs from improving as a coach and a player. I always thought Hopey was Captain Serious on and off the floor but he really brings an energetic intensity that's pretty contagious. Thanks for listening to Coaches Call on the Lacrosse Culture Daily Podcast Network. Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner Or email [email protected]

Don Koharski is one of the most respected and well-known officials in the history of professional sports, with a career that spans over four decades. He built a reputation for his no-nonsense approach, deep understanding of the game, and ability to manage high-pressure situations on the ice. After an illustrious 32-year career in the NHL, Koharski transitioned to a key role in the National Lacrosse League as Officiating Supervisor, further cementing his legacy as a master of officiating. The coach of the refs. Over the course of his career, Koharski officiated more than 1,800 regular-season NHL games, 262 playoff games, and 11 Stanley Cup Finals—a testament to his consistency and excellence. His tenure coincided with some of hockey’s most dramatic eras, from the physical play of the 1980s to the skill-driven game of the 2000s. Koharski witnessed firsthand the careers of legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby. He was known for his consistent demeanor and ability to control emotionally charged games, earning the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, native has been a longtime lacrosse supporter, as a player helping the Nova Scotia team to a silver medal in the Canada Summer Games in 1973 and coaching the Hamilton Bengals midget lacrosse team in 1980 and 1981. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, inducted in 2007. The NLL’s Officiating Supervisor since 2021, he’s been instrumental in launching new officiating mechanics in the NLL and has had an instrumental voice in the competition committee. Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner

The greater the man, the shorter the bio.  Derek Keenan is the GOAT. The winningest coach in National Lacrosse League (NLL) history, he's coached the most games and won more championships than anyone else in the league. He's been a part of nine championships: two as a player in Buffalo, four as an assistant coach in Toronto, and three as head coach with the Rush. He also won two Minto Cups as head coach with Whitby. His accolades include multiple Les Bartley Awards for Coach of the Year and multiple GM of the Year awards.  He's built expansion teams, dynasties, and winners. And he's still at it! He tried to retire twice but was drawn back to the game in both 2022 and 2024.  He's the greatest, and I hope you'll understand why in this episode. We'll discuss his biggest challenges, toughest decisions, and the most important part of the mental game. He's thoughtful, clear in his messaging, caring, and smart. Derek Keenan is the co-head coach and general manager of the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League.  Follow on Instagram @BradChalloner

“I’ve forced myself into very uncomfortable positions,” brand new head coach of the Philadelphia Wings being one of them, Ian Rubel is a three-time NLL Champion and a Constable Instructor in the training unit for the Niagra PD. He’s a low-key bad ass. He’s the only new head coach heading into the 2024-25 NLL season. Rubel joined the Philadelphia Wings as the Defensive Coach prior to the Wings return to Philadelphia in 2018 and was promoted to Head Coach ahead of the 2024-25 season after General Manager Paul Day stepped away from coaching. His playing career saw him patrolling the back end for the Columbus Landsharks, Toronto Rock, Minnesota Swarm and the Rochester Knighthawks. With the Toronto Rock, Rubel played on three championship teams; 2002, 2003, and 2005. Along the way he also represented Canada in a Heritage Cup game. As a use of force and ground tactics police instructor, Rubel pushes himself daily outside of lacrosse to become a better communicator and teacher, skills that have helped him become a better coach. He recommends the Blood Sworn Trilogy of fantasy novels by John Gwynne. Listen to Season 1 of Coaches Calls wherever you get your podcasts. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/bradchalloner/ or email [email protected]

The World Lacrosse Box Championships are upon us. Every four years since 2003, the world has come together for this tournament, in which Canada has never lost a game, let alone a gold medal. The tournament has swelled to 28 teams, ranging from Puerto Rico to Poland, Hungary to Hong Kong, and Australia to Austria. But none of these nations would be here if it weren’t for the Haudenosaunee. The people who created this game for the Creator. The people who view lacrosse as more than just a game or sport; it is a way of life—the medicine game. A celebration of health, strength, courage, fair play, and spirituality, as stated by the Haudenosaunee Nationals. This is a game from which they were once banned from international competition—a game they created and continue to exemplify with some of the most creative and electrifying superstars in the sport today. Still their participation in the 2028 Olympics remains a possibility, not a certainty. So what lies ahead? What can we control right now? That’s the World Box Championships. In this tournament, the Haudenosaunee have finished second all five times, earning five silver medals, including a heartbreaking one-goal overtime loss to Canada in 2007. The lacrosse world would love nothing more than to see a Haudenosaunee gold medal. It would be more than validation; we already know how skilled and entertaining they are to watch, and they’re the fan favorites at these tournaments. For General Manager Landon Miller and the Haudenosaunee Nationals, it would mean an inspirational story for every Indigenous person from coast to coast about what is possible. He’s the General Manager of the Haudenosaunee, the man who helped construct the roster that will represent them in their quest for a gold medal. We’ll discuss the weight of that gold, who he chose to represent the team, and what kind of lacrosse they need to play. He’s an expert team builder and manager, having won four Minto Cups in a decade with the Six Nations Arrows. He assisted Curt Styres in managing the Rochester Knighthawks' historic three-peat—the only three-peat in NLL history. When the Philly Wings relaunched in 2018, one of Paul Day’s first calls was to Landon, seeking his expertise in building that expansion team in a crucial NLL market. Landon is also a revered business leader—President, founder, and advisor of many successful and groundbreaking ventures. In 2016, he opened the largest free-standing Tim Hortons on First Nations territory in Canada, which was considered one of a kind for being Native owned, operated, and situated on Native soil. We’ll discuss his business experience and how he manages teams off the lacrosse floor in this episode. Raised in Six Nations, Landon now lives in the beautiful Westbank First Nation in the Okanagan. Purchase; The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy Support; Haudenosaunee Nationals Lacrosse Follow on X: @BradChall Instagram: @BradChalloner

Glenn Clark returns! This time to talk about coaching Team Canada at the upcoming World Lacrosse Box Championships. A tournament where Canada has never lost a game, and has won all 5 gold medals. Glenn Clark has been a part of almost all of them as a player or coach. We’ll talk about Canada’s responsibility to exemplify lacrosse at the highest level, educate developing nations and grow the game all the while chasing gold and the perfect record. We’ll also talk about roster construction and the players selected to represent their nation.   Since the last time we spoke, Clark won another Les Bartley award for NLL coach of the year and GM of the year after leading a young Albany team to the NLL Finals with an energetic and entertaining brand of lacrosse. We’ll talk about their magical run as well as thoughts on the recent PCLC dispersal draft.   Thanks for listening. Follow on X: @BradChall Instagram: @BradChalloner

Walt Christianson is Head coach of England’s men’s box lacrosse team. And though current NLL fans might faintly only recall his 48 games coached in the National Lacrosse League over 3 seasons, he’s a hugely influential legend of the game that needs to be talked about. We talk a lot about the Les Bartley coaching tree. But what about the Chris Hall coaching tree? Island style! There might be no stronger limb or branch than Walt Christianson. Chris Hall, the NLL Hall of Fame head coach who won NLL championships with two different teams and helped West Coast Canadians like the Gait brothers head south to the NCAA for the first time, is one of the greatest minds the game has ever seen. Walt played with and for Chris Hall. He coached with and against Chris Hall. They were neighbors, friends, and when Chris Hall passed away in 2014, it was Walt who announced the Chris Hall scholarship fund at his service. A two-time Mann Cup winning player with the Victoria Shamrocks. And a two-time Mann Cup champion coach with the Victoria Shamrocks. A student of the game who didn’t find lacrosse until he was 19 – to one of the greatest teachers of the game for countless players from Victoria and beyond. A retired school teacher at Vic High, he now mentors and coaches coaches literally worldwide as the head coach of England’s national box team. A role he inherited from… Chris Hall. A love of basketball connected them and influenced both their lacrosse coaching methods, and we’ll talk about that on this episode. We’ll talk about where England lacrosse is at on the world stage, how players travel hours for 6-hour marathon practices on Sundays and only Sundays. Walt’s 3 seasons in the NLL were short but wild. Those San Jose years had rookie Matt Vinc, goalie Paul Dawson, young Ryan Boyle, kinda still prime Colin Doyle, and a handful of players that paved the path for the 2010 championship team. He’s coached Gaits, Dawsons, Crawfords, Jenners, and left an indelible mark wherever he’s been. We’ll talk about his greatest moments, his biggest challenges, and his vision for the future of lacrosse. Follow on X @BradChall Insta @BradChalloner

The main definition of extroversion is simply gaining energy from engaging in social interactions. People who are high in extroversion get energized and refreshed from certain interactions. That’s definitely how I felt after this next conversation, and I hope it’s how you’ll feel too.   Darryl Gibson brings the energy! As the offensive coach for the Albany FireWolves, he helped lead the youngest and smallest team in the NLL to the finals in 2024. It was a magical season and one of the best single-season turnarounds in NLL history, with an 8-win increase year over year.   His approach is super current, always evolving, and even a little unorthodox at times – pushing the boundaries of what an NLL offense can be with his young, malleable roster. It’s what’s going to make him a great head coach with the Jamaican men’s national team at this fall’s World Box Lacrosse Championship.   Energy, pace, experimentation, and how about FUN? We’ll talk about how he got that gig, his expectations, and what makes him the right fit to help take Jamaican lacrosse to the next level.   Gibson played 12 seasons in the NLL as a shutdown defender. From Albany, San Jose, Arizona, Chicago, Minnesota, Buffalo, he won 2 championships with the Toronto Rock under Les Bartley. He’s another one of over a dozen NLL players who played for Bartley and went on to coach in the NLL. He was an NLL all-star and also won 5 Mann Cups in the summertime. He’s seen it all.   His son Tyson is now an NLL champion with Colorado, and we’ll talk about how raising a number one draft pick and rookie of the year helped keep his coaching approach fresh and relatable to the young guys in the league.   We’ll get deep into his offensive principles in this episode as well.   Thanks for listening. Follow on X @BradChall Instagram @BradChall Or email [email protected]

Reilly O'Connor is a good dude. He's a great teammate. He's mentally tough. He's a leader, and he's the Head Coach of the Toronto Beaches of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League. He walks the walk as a coach. The actions match the words, so much so that he's also still a player in the National Lacrosse League with the new Ottawa Black Bears. He's also-also a coach with Beast Athletics in Toronto and its offshoot Leadership Project. Dude is a full-timer. And it's super important to note that Reilly O'Connor's life is lacrosse, leadership, and coaching. Helping people get better. He's a seven-year NLL vet, played college lacrosse at Georgetown off a recommendation from Brodie Merrill, he won two Minto Cups with the Whitby Warriors, he's also the youngest guest I've had on this podcast so far. He's 31. And we'll talk about how being that close to today's game – he's still playing today's game – gives him an advantage behind the bench and a connection to his players that sets him apart and gives him a fresh perspective. He will be a coach in the National Lacrosse League when his playing days are done. On this episode, we talk about the differences in preparing for a game as a coach versus a player, knowing when to push someone to go harder, and the skills that define being a good teammate. Follow on X @BradChall Instagram @BradChalloner Or email [email protected]

"Champions are never satisfied.” That's the mindset of the back-to-back NLL Champion Buffalo Bandits, and in over an hour of conversation with their General Manager and Assistant Coach Steve Dietrich, we barely spoke about their electrifying on-floor product. Dietrich is relatively new to coaching and devours film to improve his craft, soaking up everything he can from the GOAT—his head coach, John Tavares. What he was truly born to do is manage a professional lacrosse team. Trades, contracts, future-proofing, and cementing the Bandits' legacy are where the Hall of Fame goaltender shines, ever since his days as a kid playing Madden and building his own teams. It's in his blood. His eye for talent, knack for seeing several steps ahead, and general likability set him apart from his peers. He's fair and honest. In this episode, we discuss his unique approach to scouting, how to welcome new talent to the Bandits while chasing a three-peat, and how he transformed the culture from the big, bad Bandits that no one wanted to play against, to the top team in the NLL that no one still wants to play against. Managing the league's flagship franchise since 2012, they've appeared in the NLL Finals five times, winning twice. Dietrich has won the GM of the Year award on three occasions, only the second GM in history to achieve this. He played 18 seasons in the NLL, was a four-time All-Pro, won a championship, and was the first goaltender to win a league MVP award in 2006. Follow on X @BradChall Instagram @BradChalloner Email [email protected]

Paul Dal Monte has done everything in the sport of lacrosse. 3-time Minto Cup champion as a player with the hall of fame Burnaby Cablevision dynasty.   3-time Mann Cup champion as a player with the New West Salmonbellies.   3-time Minto Cup champion head coach with the hall of fame Burnaby Lakers dynasty.   3-years as the first and only head coach of the Vancouver Ravens.   Current WLA Commissioner.  All while building a successful career as an executive leader and brand and marketing expert with the Vancouver Canucks, Telus and his own PDM Consulting firm.   A life-long dedication to growing the game and elevating numerous players, teams and leagues to new heights.  On this episode we explore the makings of dynasties and new teams alike, how he  brings the coaching world to the board room and vice versa.   Follow on X @BradChall On Insta @BradChalloner Or email [email protected]

Welcome to NLL semifinals weekend! Only four teams remain: Albany will play San Diego, and in the time-honored tradition of the best rivalry in lacrosse, Toronto will host Buffalo. On this week’s podcast: Rusty Krueger. He is the offensive coordinator for the Toronto Rock and also the head coach of the Orangeville Northmen in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League. Krug Dog, one of the most renowned offensive minds in the game, joined the Rock coaching staff in 2021. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Bandits. We often talk about coaching trees in sports, and I always like to trace back the lineage of who guys learned their styles and philosophies from. Well, when you’re from Orangeville, the answer is usually Terry Sanderson, but it’s also the guys you surround yourself with. Josh and Phil Sanderson, the Merrill Brothers, Matt Sawyer, and Troy Cordingley, who is there now, but Rusty Kruger is also a name synonymous with Orangeville lacrosse. He’s cut from the same cloth and has brought a tradition of excellence, a give-back mentality, and a will to win everywhere he’s played and coached. As a player, he won an NLL championship with the Rock in 2005 and played 11 seasons total in the NLL. He’s won 6 Minto Cups as a player or coach – that has to be close to if not a record – as a player with Orangeville in ’93, ’95, and ’96 and as a coach in ’08, ’09, and 2019. One of the great captains in Northmen history, he also once sucker-punched Jake Elliott in the chin – so that’s not something a lot of guys can put on a resume. And all-around beauty, really. On this podcast, we take a look at this weekend’s semi-final series against the Buffalo Bandits, what makes Orangeville lacrosse so successful, some of his offensive principles, and striking a balance between structure and creativity. Follow on X @BradChall Email [email protected]

It's playoff eve! On this bonus episode of Coaches Calls, we preview the highly anticipated 2024 NLL Playoffs with exclusive highlights of conversations with the 8 NLL head coaches still competing for the NLL Cup.    Insights, strategies, expectations and philosophies from Matt Sawyer (Toronto Rock), Mike Hasen (Rochester Knighthawks), Patrick Merrill (San Diego Seals), Tracey Kelusky (Panther City Lacrosse Club), Glenn Clark (Albany Firewolves), Mike Accursi (Halifax Thunderbirds), John Tavares (Buffalo Bandits), and Ed Comeau (Georgia Swarm).   Follow on X @BradChall Email: [email protected]

John Lintz has a lacrosse path and resume like no other. And a chip on his shoulder. Growing up in Edmonton, he had to roll the dice early and headed west to Coquitlam to try out for the Junior Adanacs in 2006. Now as Head Coach of the Edmonton Miners Junior A team, he is a big reason why Alberta boys and girls don’t have to leave home anymore to carve a path to college or the pros. He won three NLL Championships before stepping aside at 32 to coach the Vancouver Stealth’s defence. The youngest coach in the league at the time. He returned to the floor with the Colorado Mammoth in 2022 and won another title as a player. As a coach, he took an Alberta team further in the Minto Cup than any Rocky Mountain Junior team had a gone before – to the finals against Whitby in 2022. Edmonton with high hopes hosted the tourney in 2023 with heavy expectation to win it all. We’ll talk in this episode about why he thinks they fell short and the lessons learned. A member of the Rush dynasty in Edmonton and Saskatchewan, he also won an NLL Championship as a practice roster rookie in Calgary in 2009. We’ll hear how GM Terry Sanderson made players 1 through 25 feel like such an important piece of that team. A lesson Lintz still thinks about and uses today. An educator and multi-sport coach, it won’t be long before Lintz is back behind an NLL bench when he’s ready and the right opportunity arises. On this episode we talk about his coaching foundation of role definitions, honesty, and the evolution and growth that is so important to junior lacrosse players. Follow on X @BradChall Or email [email protected]  

Troy Cordingley’s NLL coaching career has come full circle, all in an effort to never stop learning, growing and changing. He's all about lacrosse. A two-time NLL Champion head coach. 2008 Calgary and 2011 Toronto. Two-time Les Bartley Award winner for head coach of the year. 2008 Calgary and 2013 Toronto. He is fifth all-time in career coaching wins with 107. He started his NLL coaching career as an assistant with Buffalo and after head coaching gigs in most of the NLL’s most important markets; Calgary, Toronto, Buffalo and Vancouver, he’s currently an associate coach for Josh Sanderson back in Calgary with the Roughnecks. Coaching next to the son of his mentor, the late Terry Sanderson. He has coached junior ‘A’, minor lacrosse, Major Series and in the women’s game all while maintaining a career as an elementary school teacher in his home province of Ontario. Known as one of the fiercest, most passionate competitors the game has ever seen, Troy is trying to marry some of his old school tactics with the modern game and player. In this episode we talk about his fundamental traits of the most successful teams, how to keep adapting as a coach and what the sport as a whole can learn from the women’s game. Follow on X @BradChall Or email [email protected]

For the first since the 1993 Orangeville Northmen, the Minto Cup had a first time champion in 2023 – the Burlington Blaze. From 2007 - 2022, only four teams have won Canada’s national junior A lacrosse championship - Six Nations, Orangeville, Whitby and Coquitlam. History and tradition were not on Burlington’s side. That all changed when Head Coach Dan MacRae’s vision started to take shape.    An NLL and Mann Cup champion as a defensive stalwart player, MacRae brought a confidence and belief to the Blaze that had never quite fully developed before. A long-term plan. They knocked off an undefeated Orangeville team in the Ontario final, battled a travel nightmare to Edmonton, and came from behind in multiple Minto games, en-route to a magical national championship title. It is the kind of run movies are built to tell. Dan MacRae is also in his first season as the defensive coordinator for the Colorado Mammoth in the NLL. A proven leader and captain of 2 different NLL teams, he only retired from playing in 2023 so he is bringing a fresh perspective to a pro bench in a role that he’s learning and growing in towards a bright future. Originally drafted by the Calgary Roughnecks in 2010, he played 12 NLL seasons, 9 under head coach Curt Malawsky in Calgary, and his final 3 with the then expansion New York Riptide. The Oakville native played college lacrosse at RIT and his junior lacrosse in Burlington so it is close to his heart. On this episode, we talk about getting Burlington to believe, what he has learned from Pat Coyle and Curt Malawsky and how his personal leadership style is taking form. Follow on X @BradChall Email [email protected]

The shorter the bio, the more impressive the man. John Tavares is the GOAT. The all time leader in goals and points in the history of the National Lacrosse League. A three-time league MVP in ’94, 2000 and 2001. In addition, four time champion in ’92, ’93, ’96 and 2008. He was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2016. Lacrosse’s Wayne Gretzky he is not. He is John Tavares. He is ours. He belongs to Banditland, the city of Buffalo where he played for 24 seasons, and now coaches and stares up at his retired #11 hung from the rafters of the Key Bank Centre. A place where up to 17,000 screaming fans go to watch lacrosse on weekends – in large part because of what he helped build. A culture of winning. An intelligent, cerebral player with an edge, he played until his mid 40’s and is one of only two players ever to have played more than 300 games. The Bandits tapped him to run their offence after he retired and after a few seasons he was named Head Coach. After falling in the finals in 2019 and 2022, Tavares led the Bandits to their first championship in 15 years when they defeated the Colorado Mammoth in 2023. He is a low key kinda shy guy who avoids media stuff if he can. Maybe that is the key to his success? Nothing else matters. It is the locker room and being close to the game where he shines and you will hear in this chat that it is still the intricacies of the game that motivate him and that motivating others is still not his favourite thing to do. On this episode, we discuss his in game principals, the pre-game speech, and the secret ingredient of the most successful teams. Follow on X @BradChall Or email [email protected]

Patrick Merrill coaches a super team and has one of the best gigs in lacrosse. He is the first and only Head Coach and General Manager of the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League. Lacrosse and sunshine.   A playoff team every season of their existence so far. A roster riddled with some of the league’s most electrifying players but early playoff exits in 2022 and 2023 are obviously leaving something to be desired for this group and Merrill and his staff are working tirelessly to get this group to the finals where the whole lacrosse world feels they belong. But is there pressure there? Merrill played 15 seasons in the NLL under some of the game’s best coaches. The first overall pick in the 2002 draft - he won three championships with the Toronto rock. His early coaching gigs saw him win two Minto Cup championships coaching the Six Nations Arrows. Away from the NLL, but not away from lacrosse, he co-founded and coached at the Hill Academy, a lacrosse powerhouse independent private high school in Ontario. He is a World Champion and four-time Mann Cup champion. Super smart, super passionate and a very calm, focused and intense leader. The Seals are going to be able to recruit based on location, ownership, and being competitive but I really think Patrick Merrill is a person that players want to play for first. He is a leader of men. On this episode, we walk through a typical week in a coach’s life, talk about the importance of building relationships with players, and talk about how teams get what they earn, and get what they deserve. Follow on X @BradChall Or email [email protected]

Shawn Williams is living every lacrosse nerd’s dream. Building a team from scratch. Picking his players. Developing the system. Developing the culture. Putting his 17 years of pro playing and life experience into his role as the inaugural Head Coach and General Manager of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. The first ballot hall of fame player won two NLL Championships and is widely regarded as one of the best teammates and leaders the game has ever seen. Multiple Mann Cup Champion, he also won a Minto Cup as head coach of the Whitby Warriors. Though born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, he made his name synonymous with Brooklin and Whitby lacrosse and is a pillar in the Ontario lacrosse community. On this episode, we discuss his approach to building an expansion team, the 12 round fighter mentality, Scarborough bus trips and the three pillars of success that will help take his team to the next level. Follow on X @BradChall Or email [email protected]

Jimmy Quinlan is the youngest coach in the National Lacrosse League, for whatever that is worth. He started coaching long before his playing career ended in 2013 though, so the experience is there. How could it not be stepping onto the Toronto Rock team in 2005, a roster riddled with at least 11 players who coach or have coached in the NLL. Legends of the game. His first coach was Terry Sanderson. It was a long road to Toronto for a kid who grew up in northern Alberta. Not even close to a lacrosse hot bed at the time. His grizzled playing career saw him playing both offence and defence so his understanding off all aspects of the game is unmatched. His number 81 is still the only number retired in Rush franchise history. His mentor Derek Kennan offered him his first coaching job shortly after his playing career ended and he was with the Edmonton/Saskatchewan Rush during their string of three championships from 2015-2018. Time away with family brought him back to the team in 2022. He was named Co-Head Coach by the end of that season and full bore Head Coach in 2023. At the time of this recording, and offensive struggles to start 2024, GM Derek Keenan is back on the Rush bench as a Co-Head Coach while Quinlan is Co-Head Coach and acting as the offensive coordinator, tapping into his IQ. We will talk about the yo-yo head coach position in Sask that past three seasons and what he’s learning from the experience and how he is trying to lead this young team back to prominence. A true chatterbox of the game, Jimmy loves to talk, and his energy is tangible. Another NLL Coach/Educator by day, he literally talks, teaches and coaches for a living. Jimmy Quinlan is on Coaches Calls. Thanks for listening. Follow on X @BradChall Email anytime [email protected]

Dan Ladouceur is the head coach of the New York Riptide of the National Lacrosse League. A role he has held since 2020. He joined the Riptide after spending four seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Georgia Swarm. In his first season behind the bench in Georgia, the Swarm set a new NLL record for the most goals scored with 266 and won the NLL championship. The six foot six “Big Dog” played 11 seasons as a defender for the Les Bartley led Toronto Rock dynasty and was a pivotal part of five championships. One of the most feared defenders who has ever played the game. His 428 penalty minutes is the second most in Rock team history. Following his playing career, he spent five seasons behind the bench for the Rock, serving as the defensive coordinator, and helped lead the team to the finals in 2015. In addition to his coaching duties, Ladouceur is a Sergeant for the Durham Region Police Service in Ontario. A six foot six police sergeant and lacrosse coach, you would think he would come with ferocity, but Laddy is a bit of a gentle giant. On the podcast, we get a little spiritual, as he talks about his vulnerabilities and how important that openness is for his team’s culture. We also discuss how policing influences his coaching and what sets the super elite players apart from the rest. Follow on X @BradChall Or emails [email protected]

They call Glenn Clark the Professor. I’ve never really traced that back to know why but I imagine it’s because he’s smart. He’s an educator by trade, and a born leader and coach. Over two decades of NLL experience as both a player and a coach, he was one of the youngest coaches that ever took over an NLL bench when he became head coach of the legendary Toronto Rock the season after retiring from playing. That was in the summer of 2006 when he was just 37! It was a bit of a rocky road in Toronto that included overcoming law suits, ups and downs on the floor and was a role that eventually saw him fired. He spent half a decade away from the NLL but continued grinding in CLAX, Junior A and internationally with team Canada. He eventually returned to the NLL to coach the New England BlackWolves in 2015 - a role he still holds today, albeit as the modern day Albany FireWolves. Another coach born out of the Les Bartley led Toronto Rock dynasty era, he won five championships as a player with the team. Glenn Clark is the General Manager and Head Coach of the Albany FireWolves and he'll be Canada's Head Coach at the 2024 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. On this episode we discuss his “nervous awareness” approach to defence, what he’d do differently as a young first time coach, and how he spent his 5 years away from the pro game. Follow on X @BradChall Or email [email protected]

THE HALIFAX THUNDERBIRDS HAVE BEEN A TEAM ON THE CUSP OF A CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 2020. THEY’RE RIGHT THERE, AND THE GUY DRIVING THE BUS IS MIKE ACCURSI. A FOUR TIME NLL CHAMPION AS A PLAYER, HE’S BEEN THERE. HE KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES. NOW IT’S TIME TO GET HIS TEAM TO REALIZE THAT, PUT IT TOGETHER AND GET OVER THE HUMP. BUT IT HURTS. WE’LL HEAR FROM MIKE THAT THE BEST TEAMS HE’S BEEN ON HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT PAIN TO COME OUT SHARPER AND BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE PIECES ARE THERE IN HALIFAX. THE FANS ARE THERE. NOW IT’S TIME TO BRING IT HOME. THEY CALLED HIM NO MERCY AS A PLAYER. MIKE ACCURISI IS THE HEAD COACH OF THE HALIFAX THUDNERBIRDS. A CARRER COACHING WINNING RECORD HOVERING AROUND .600 HE PLAYED AN IMPRESSIVE 17 SEASON IN THE NLL. 237 GAMES PLAYED WINNING 4 CHAMPIONSHIPS, 3 WITH ROCHESTER FROM 2012-2014 AND ONE WITH BUFFALO IN 2004. HE’S A SCHOOL TEACHER BY DAY, ANOTHER NLL COACH WITH A CAREER THAT COMPLIMENTS HIS LACROSSE LIFE. ON THIS PODCAST WE DISCUSS HOW PLAYOFF HARDSHIP SHOULD MAKE HIS TEAM BETTER IN THE FUTURE, HOW BUILDING A DIVERSE ROSTER SETS HIS TEAM APART AND HIS SPIRITUAL PRE-SEASON HUNTING TRIPS WITH HIS BOSS CURT STYRES. FOLLOW ON X @BRADCHALL EMAIL [email protected]

Paul Day is the man. That’s the intro. One of the most respected leaders in all of lacrosse. He’s the head coach and general manager or the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League. A Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Famer, he’s been to the National Lacrosse League finals nine times, capturing five titles as a player, coach or general manager. He did it all while maintaining a 27-year decorated career as a full-time sergeant for the Niagara Regional Police Service. He specialized in street crime, intelligence and recruiting. We’ll hear how that compliments his lacrosse life. He retired from the force in 2017 to focus his attention on the Wings. A two time Les Barley Award Winner for NLL Coach of the Year. He won the award 16 years apart in 2004 and 2020. A native of Peterborough, ON, Day used to ride his bike to the local library and watch 8 mm movies on a projector of old Philadelphia indoor lacrosse games. He’s won multiple Mann Cups with the Peterborough Lakers. Follow on X @BradChall         Or email [email protected]

Mike Hasen might be the most underrated coach in lacrosse. Over 200 games coached in the NLL. 5th all time. 100 wins in the NLL. 6th all time. 3 NLL titles. He’s led hall of fame laden dynasties, coached up MVPs and helped build an expansion team and took them to the playoffs in year 3. Not usually mentioned along with the all time greats but why not? It might be the fact he’s a calm humble guy that doesn’t get too high or too low, and lets his records and teams speak for themselves. The ultimate player’s coach. But the wheels of preparation, passion and knowledge are spinning. He’s the only coach in the history of the league to have coached a team to a 3 peat! Back to back to back championships! Mike Hasen is the head coach of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League; a title he’s held since 2011 when he was awarded the NLL’s Les Bartley award for coach of the year - in his rookie season. Hasen led the Knighthawks to 3 consecutive NLL titles from 2012 to 2014. Still the only 3 peat in league history. Captain of the Knighthawks during his playing days, Hasen won a title as a player in 2007. And all together played 13 seasons in the NLL with Rochester and Buffalo. Hasen has won multiple Mann Cups as a player and coach during the summer in Canada.   On this podcast we break down the challenges of the 3 peat season by season, TRY to hear about his best attributes as a coach and learn about how he leads from within the trenches. Follow on X @BradChall And email [email protected]

A new year brings new beginnings and Josh Sanderson is a first time Head Coach in the National Lacrosse League and the new head coach and Assistant General Manager of the Calgary Roughnecks. He played 19 seasons in the NLL winning 2 championships. One of the greatest play makers of all time, he sits third in NLL history in assists. In his final full season - he set what was then the league record with 83 assists. He retired the next season and was inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame the same year. After retiring, the Orangeville, Ontario native was quickly hired by the Toronto Rock as Assistant General Manager. He moved behind the bench of the San Diego Seals as Offensive Coordinator and Director of Player Personnel before accepting the head coaching job in Calgary in the summer of 2023. His dad is hall of fame coach and lacrosse legend, the late Terry Sanderson. I think Josh’s playing career alone should set him up for success as a coach. One of the smallest guys on the floor but always played with the biggest heart and the craftiness and creativity that makes our sport so special. An inspiration. On this podcast we discuss the impact of his dad on his coaching style, his approach to using video to improve his players and why he’s looking for self-motivated players to coach. Follow on X @BradChall And email [email protected]

This podcast wouldn’t exist without Curt Malawsky. One of my pre game rituals and routines for the NLL on TSN is to chat with each head coach before the game of the week to prep story lines and get insight on players, and the chats with Curt Malawsky are always a high light of game week and are the chats that inspired this podcast into existence. As you’ll hear, he talks a mile a minute, goes off on tangents, and is super well prepped. I often have to listen to his interviews multiple times to transcribe and take notes because he gives so much information, it’s like taking a university course in lacrosse. “Good people make good teams.” “Well done is better than well said.” “Honest effort, honest result.” Just a few Curt-isms that we’ll trace back on this episode. With Curt, it’s family first. Behind the passion and the lacrosse IQ is a good family man. You’ll hear how important that is to his success. Curt Malawasky is the Head Coach and General Manager of the Vancouver Warriors of the NLL. He signed a long term deal with the team in the summer of 2023 after winning the Head Coach of the Year award in Calgary and guiding the team to the West Final in 2023. He won a championship as their head coach in 2019, and as a player in Calgary in 2009 after a 12 year pro playing career. A Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Famer, he won a Mann Cup as a player with Coquitlam in 2001. And 3 Minto Cup’s coaching Burnaby (2004, 2005) and Coquitlam (2010). Follow on X @BradChall And email [email protected]