CATCHING UP WITH MEN S LACROSSE COACH CHRIS RYAN ’
After leading the Lakers to their third straight NCAA appearance with an 11-5 record last season, Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Chris Ryan got to change it up, spending his summer as a coach for the Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Here the 22-year veteran of
19 for game days, and the 2-point arc changes things schematically. “It is a more laid-back environment, which I appreciate. After spending the entire season ranting and raving on the sideline, it’s good to lower the heart rate a little. Plus, I am the assistant coach. I will let Coach Copelan rant and rave. Lastly, it is a different
Laker coaching talks about the experience. What excited you most about the opportunity to coach
relationship between the coaches and the players. College coaching entails you having all the answers and dictating much of what goes on. Coaching professionals is
professional players? “I was excited to coach with Head Coach Andy Copelan and Assistant Coach Rob Cross. Andy and I have known each other for several years. Coach Cross began his coaching career with me at Mercyhurst, and I was in his wedding, so it was great to get back on the sidelines with these guys. As practices and camp began, I was excited to learn. I had new players to meet, a new game to learn, and new team culture to become a part of.” What are the biggest differences between
much more collaborative. As coaches, we organize, direct, and provide information. The players do the rest.” What are some takeaways that you have seen in the PLL that you can implement at Mercyhurst? “I told Assistant Vice President for Athletics Brad Davis when this started that it would be the greatest internship of
coaching in college and coaching professionals? “First, the players are the best in the world. They are professionals, and they handle themselves like it. The level of skill,
my life, and it has been. There are things I have picked up on ranging from systems, schemes,
coaching stuff. Being able to talk lacrosse with the best players in the world is incredible. I will bring things back from the PLL to Mercyhurst, and we will be a
the speed of the game, and the IQ on the field is off the charts. Secondly, the game itself is different. The field is smaller, the quarters are shorter, the roster is only
better program for it.”
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