Navy 2022

[old salt]

I am not a Navy person and have no affiliation with the program what so ever, other than tremendous respect for any and all who chose to serve.

My question for Navy people; what is the expectation for the program? Win national championships? Make final fours? Win the Patriot League? Contend in the Patriot League and win it once in a while? Play over 500 with a competitive schedule?

I am not being sarcastic in any way, just wondering what Navy people's expectations are?

-- win a PL tourney game, for starters
-- play at least .500 overall
-- consistently compete for #2 in the PL (until Loyola declines)
-- at least .500 vs Army (PLT included)
-- keep JHU & MD on the sched

My expectations weren't any higher, pre-2004, (insert ECAC for PL), which is why I thought the 2004 - 2010 run was so remarkable & why I thought RM's departure was premature.

The addition of Loyola & BU, + improvement at Lehigh & HC, has continued the improvement of the PL.
Army, Bucknell & Colgate were already there by 2008.
I did my best to point this out to fellow alums & temper expectations 2008 - 2011.

The 8 game PL regular season + all confs backloading conf play, makes it harder to sched enough potential non-conf QW opponents to compete for an at large bid, without a W over JHU, MD, or Loyola, most years.

[Dip&Dunk]

There are expectations and then there are EXPECTATIONS. Upper case get written into your contract. Lower case are "nice to haves".

I do not have first hand knowledge of the present contract wording but I know the previous coach had three, what I call tripwires, in his contract: Must Beat Army, winning record and make conference tourney. Certainly not out of the norm and I would expect both sides easily agreed on them.

I think I would consider them to be reasonable EXPECTATIONS for Navy.

[xxxxxxx]

All reasonable expectations in today's D1 lacrosse world, still difficult considering the everyday requirements for a Navy athlete. I wish Amplo and the Navy team the best!

[laxpere]

agree to disagree...a high paying and high profile/pressure job(unlike almost all D3 jobs) is not the place for on-the-job training. Can't think of any "big time" program that hires a first time HC--let me know if I've forgotten someone...

Andy Shay - Yale
Matt Madalon - Princeton
Charlie Toomey - Loyola ( he was HC at NAPS and a MD HS, but no college HC exp.)
Nick Meyers - Ohio State

Cornell hired Petro who returned the program to competitiveness on the national scene who hired Tambdo I as his asst.

In addition to the ones listed above, there are several other examples of D-I programs that hired a first-time HC. Not sure what defines big time, but there are some familiar names.
Joe Alberici - Army
Joe Amplo - Marquette
Joe Breschi - Ohio State
Ben DeLuca - Cornell
Chris Fiefs - UVM
Peter Milliman - Cornell
Shawn Nadelen - Towson
Lars Tiffany - Stony Brook
John Tillman - Harvard
Jon Torpey - High Point
Kevin Warne - Georgetown

[sguy9]

Very good additions.

Peter Milliman - Cornell

But he was a DII head coach.

[a fan]

A little fun for Navy Fans as you await the new season with a new coach. It's the offseason, and over the years I've been uploading my old library of games onto YouTube.

So here's Navy in 1988 v. Syracuse, with some great all-time Mids in Herger, Brian Keith, and goalie Joe Donnelly....


(sorry, but I can't change the score. Or the outcome )


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7njnxhszrM&t=1474s

[Tecumseh]

Does anyone have any intel on who Amplo might hire? You figure he has to hire at least 1 guy soon since recruiting is in full swing. His top assistant has to be an O guy and good recruiter I would think.

Some awesome names have been mentioned. Maybe he can convince Phipps to come back?

I also want to reiterate how great of a man Coach Wellner was and respected by all.

Interesting read:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... gage/54828

Fore
"T"

[laxxygilmore]

Does anyone have any intel on who Amplo might hire? You figure he has to hire at least 1 guy soon since recruiting is in full swing. His top assistant has to be an O guy and good recruiter I would think.

Some awesome names have been mentioned. Maybe he can convince Phipps to come back?

I also want to reiterate how great of a man Coach Wellner was and respected by all.

Interesting read:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... gage/54828

Fore
"T"

Agreed, "T". Refreshing to know and be encouraged about on so many levels for the MLax Mids. Especially these key comments from Coach Amplo...

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... gage/54828

“My biggest thing is the relationships. I can’t let my first 30 days here go by without being engaged with as many people as possible. I want to be involved from a relationship standpoint with anyone who can touch this program,” Amplo said.

“The opportunity to work at the world’s best leadership institution, that personally and professionally is an unbelievable honor and a privilege. The personal and professional growth — what an opportunity."

“From a lacrosse standpoint, it has one of the most long-standing traditions in our sport, and a rich alumni network that is supportive, excited, and the institution supports it at the highest level. You’re given every resource necessary to compete. You’ve got the support of a fanbase. You’ve got the support of alums. The potential for the team to compete at the highest level of our sport is there,” he said. “And oh by the way. Everyone that you coach is going to go on to do great things in the world. To me, it’s the complete package.”

“Listen about their experience and learn what I need to learn. Talk to the players on my team and hear about their day. Understand the challenges, but accept them. Every institution’s got challenges… I can’t make it a deterrent to who we are as a team. I have to make it part of who we are. The biggest thing is learning about it and understanding how I’m going to fit a process into play where that’s part of it,” he said.

“This is a unique challenge, and there are young men that don’t want this opportunity, and they’re right off the board. There are young men who are off the board right away at every institution, whether it's an academic, geographical or competitive reason. There are kids that most institutions can’t recruit,” he said. “For ours, the military is the clearinghouse. To the extent that students may be interested even a little bit, the sooner they learn the opportunities with the military and then beyond the service are as good or better than most institutions in our sport, kids are going to become even more excited.”

…yup, additional indications that Coach Amplo gets it already. Refreshing and encouraging indeed.

[WOMBAT, Mod Emeritus]

Does anyone have any intel on who Amplo might hire? You figure he has to hire at least 1 guy soon since recruiting is in full swing. His top assistant has to be an O guy and good recruiter I would think.

Some awesome names have been mentioned. Maybe he can convince Phipps to come back?

I also want to reiterate how great of a man Coach Wellner was and respected by all.

Interesting read:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... gage/54828

Fore
"T"

Agreed, "T". Refreshing to know and be encouraged about on so many levels for the MLax Mids. Especially these key comments from Coach Amplo...

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... gage/54828

“My biggest thing is the relationships. I can’t let my first 30 days here go by without being engaged with as many people as possible. I want to be involved from a relationship standpoint with anyone who can touch this program,” Amplo said.

“The opportunity to work at the world’s best leadership institution, that personally and professionally is an unbelievable honor and a privilege. The personal and professional growth — what an opportunity."

“From a lacrosse standpoint, it has one of the most long-standing traditions in our sport, and a rich alumni network that is supportive, excited, and the institution supports it at the highest level. You’re given every resource necessary to compete. You’ve got the support of a fanbase. You’ve got the support of alums. The potential for the team to compete at the highest level of our sport is there,” he said. “And oh by the way. Everyone that you coach is going to go on to do great things in the world. To me, it’s the complete package.”

“Listen about their experience and learn what I need to learn. Talk to the players on my team and hear about their day. Understand the challenges, but accept them. Every institution’s got challenges… I can’t make it a deterrent to who we are as a team. I have to make it part of who we are. The biggest thing is learning about it and understanding how I’m going to fit a process into play where that’s part of it,” he said.

“This is a unique challenge, and there are young men that don’t want this opportunity, and they’re right off the board. There are young men who are off the board right away at every institution, whether it's an academic, geographical or competitive reason. There are kids that most institutions can’t recruit,” he said. “For ours, the military is the clearinghouse. To the extent that students may be interested even a little bit, the sooner they learn the opportunities with the military and then beyond the service are as good or better than most institutions in our sport, kids are going to become even more excited.”

…yup, additional indications that Coach Amplo gets it already. Refreshing and encouraging indeed.

Man, looks like he’s been reading Reef Points already.

Or did he find an unused copy in his new desk?

[laxxygilmore]

Now, THAT is hilarious! WOMBATMAN wisdom & wit strikes again -- like a laser!

[oldjayfan]

Can't teach CLASS, Coach Sowell's got it..

https://www.stargazette.com/story/sport ... /96507246/

[gymman1031]

People have talked about Navy's expectations. Here is what I think Navy can do with the right coach:

1. often make the Patriot League Title game
2. make several postseason appearances, either with the automatic bid or as an at-large
3. have multiple Top 100 players in each of their recruiting classes
4. considering the region they are in and their awesome stadium, lead the NCAA in regular season attendance several times
5. make the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals most years
6. get to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals multiple times
7. if all goes right, at least one trip to the Final Four, and maybe beyond

[Dip&Dunk]

People have talked about Navy's expectations. Here is what I think Navy can do with the right coach:

1. often make the Patriot League Title game
2. make several postseason appearances, either with the automatic bid or as an at-large
3. have multiple Top 100 players in each of their recruiting classes
4. considering the region they are in and their awesome stadium, lead the NCAA in regular season attendance several times
5. make the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals most years
6. get to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals multiple times
7. if all goes right, at least one trip to the Final Four, and maybe beyond

Might want to add something about that team on the Hudson...

[Hail to the Victors]

Can't teach CLASS, Coach Sowell's got it..

https://www.stargazette.com/story/sport ... /96507246/

I hope you clipped that one out for your scrapbook, Mrs. Sowell.

[oldjayfan]

Can't teach CLASS, Coach Sowell's got it..

https://www.stargazette.com/story/sport ... /96507246/

I hope you clipped that one out for your scrapbook, Mrs. Sowell.

HAHA! No, actually coach Meade sent it to me!

[Typical Lax Dad]

Can't teach CLASS, Coach Sowell's got it..

https://www.stargazette.com/story/sport ... /96507246/

I hope you clipped that one out for your scrapbook, Mrs. Sowell.

HAHA! No, actually coach Meade sent it to me!

Thanks for posting that article. Memories. Sowell is an over achiever. I am sure he will survive.

[gymman1031]

People have talked about Navy's expectations. Here is what I think Navy can do with the right coach:

1. often make the Patriot League Title game
2. make several postseason appearances, either with the automatic bid or as an at-large
3. have multiple Top 100 players in each of their recruiting classes
4. considering the region they are in and their awesome stadium, lead the NCAA in regular season attendance several times
5. make the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals most years
6. get to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals multiple times
7. if all goes right, at least one trip to the Final Four, and maybe beyond

Might want to add something about that team on the Hudson...

Absolutely:

8. Have a respectable or better record against that team on the Hudson!

[smoova]

People have talked about Navy's expectations. Here is what I think Navy can do with the right coach:

1. often make the Patriot League Title game
2. make several postseason appearances, either with the automatic bid or as an at-large
3. have multiple Top 100 players in each of their recruiting classes
4. considering the region they are in and their awesome stadium, lead the NCAA in regular season attendance several times
5. make the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals most years
6. get to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals multiple times
7. if all goes right, at least one trip to the Final Four, and maybe beyond

Might want to add something about that team on the Hudson...

He's trying to be realistic ...

[Dip&Dunk]

People have talked about Navy's expectations. Here is what I think Navy can do with the right coach:

1. often make the Patriot League Title game
2. make several postseason appearances, either with the automatic bid or as an at-large
3. have multiple Top 100 players in each of their recruiting classes
4. considering the region they are in and their awesome stadium, lead the NCAA in regular season attendance several times
5. make the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals most years
6. get to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals multiple times
7. if all goes right, at least one trip to the Final Four, and maybe beyond

Might want to add something about that team on the Hudson...

He's trying to be realistic ...

OUCH

[laxxygilmore]

https://navysports.com/news/2019/6/5/jo ... -navy.aspx

"It is an honor and a privilege to be named the next head coach at the United States Naval Academy. Having the opportunity to help develop the next group of our nation's leaders is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I look forward to embracing everything the Naval Academy stands for, engaging with our alumni, immersing our family into this community and, most of all, developing life-long relationships with the members of our team as we work to add more successes to the rich history of Navy lacrosse."

And now this from the Crab Wrapper:

https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/n ... story.html

.. .. ...that's all good, on every level. Fire up the bandwagon.

Indeed. Great to see such genuine respect and enthusiasm overall expressed in this interview by Coach Amplo, and especially from his key comments below regarding USNA MLax alumni and current players...

https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/n ... story.html

“For me, the Naval Academy was the complete package. From a destination standpoint in our sport, the Navy job has always been right at the top for me. I always looked at this job as a great opportunity for a number of reasons,” Amplo said.

“Just the fact you get to work at one of the world’s greatest institutions, it’s hard to compare anything with that. You factor in the type of student-athlete you’re going to be associated with and that makes it even more attractive,” Amplo added. “On top of all that, the Naval Academy is located in what my wife and I consider one of the best places to live. Annapolis is almost like a resort town. This is a great place to live and raise a family.”

“Mr. Gladchuk didn’t put specific expectations on me, but I do understand there is an expectation to compete at the highest level, to compete for championships and be a player on the national scene,” he said. “I welcome and embrace those types of expectations.”

“That passionate and loyal alumni base is not something I have dealt with as a head coach. I will say this: It does not make me nervous, it excites me,” Amplo said. “I’m coming from a place that had a very short-lived alumni experience. I think going into this season we only had 52 lacrosse alums from Marquette. So I welcome having such a huge alumni base.”

“Building a rock-solid program starts with developing a really deep interpersonal relationship with every individual currently in this program and everyone who has worn the Navy jersey previously,” he said. “I believe that is the number one most important thing in the short term, to love all the student-athletes in this program, to love the incoming recruits and make them all understand this is going to be a community-based initiative.”

“It’s not going to be just about lacrosse, it’s going to be about the whole Naval Academy experience,” Amplo added. “As I told all the alums that I have spoken to over the past 24 hours: I want that bandwagon that I watched from afar in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I want to see that bandwagon back again. I want to get everyone on board with moving this program in the right direction.”

“My first phone call was to Coach Danowski to say ‘thanks for everything you have done for me.’ John taught me, most importantly, to be an educator first,” Amplo said.

“John also showed me the power of love in an organization. You have to love your people, care about them as human beings and get to know them on the deepest interpersonal level that you possibly can. If you do that, the Xs and Ox will take care of themselves.”

...such selflessness and leadership presence will be sincerely welcomed and appreciated. As the legendary head coach Eddie Robinson famously said...

"Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them."

GO MIDS! "Amp it all up with Coach Amplo!"

Hooligan Happiness...


DOD Delight...