Coaches Calls

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 j...

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—tyk...

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-...

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 M...

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 previous...

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 ...

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 gi...

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 Superviso...

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 accolade...

“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...

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...

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 t...

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 th...

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 ...

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 ...

"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 wa...

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. 

...

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 g...

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 C...