In this episode of New England Lacrosse Journal's Chasing The Gold podcast, host Kyle Devitte engages in a comprehensive conversation with Jake Bernhardt, head coach of Colby men’s lacrosse team. Kyle explores Jake’s journey from his upbringing in a football family to playing lacrosse at the University of Maryland, his professional career, and eventual transition to coaching. The discussion covers Jake’s coaching philosophy, strategies for balancing offensive and defensive play, and adapting to new environments as he moved from Florida to Vermont and then to Colby. Jake provides insights into the recruiting process within the competitive NESCAC conference and shares experiences of developing a winning team identity at Colby. Key points include managing team dynamics, the importance of setting realistic goals, and fostering relationships within the lacrosse community. The episode offers a detailed look into the challenges and rewards of collegiate lacrosse coaching, emphasizing strategies for success and continuous improvement.

Topics

00:44 Jake Bernhardt's Background and Early Life

01:06 Transition to College and Professional Lacrosse

03:45 Coaching Influences and Philosophy

09:13 Coaching at Colby and First Season Challenges

16:46 Building the Coaching Staff and Future Plans

20:43 National Recruiting Strategy

21:07 Lacrosse Popularity in New England

22:39 Welcoming Freshmen to the Program

24:24 NESCAC Admissions Process

25:43 Colby's Unique Selling Points

28:03 Building a Competitive Team

30:38 Offensive and Defensive Strategies

39:59 Setting Realistic Goals for the Season

42:01 Conclusion and Future Outlook