Huber, former coach at Harry S Truman, is promoted to post as head boys’ coach at Pennsbury

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/3/09

Jamie Huber has been named the Pennsbury boys’ lacrosse head coach, the school’s athletic department has announced.

Huber, the Falcons’ top assistant and defensive coordinator the past two years, served as the first coach at Harry S Truman from 2001-07. Huber replaces Dean Curtis, who stepped down after the 2009 season.

“I am excited,” said Huber. “I always want the kids to play the game the right way and to get back to the basics and fundamentals.”

Huber is a 1995 graduate of Archbishop Ryan where he was a two-time captain and defenseman for a new program. Huber played two years at West Chester when it had a Division II program and later played two years at Penn State, helping the Nittany Lions claim back-to-back National College (club) Lacrosse League championships.

Huber was a JV coach at Abington in 2000 and in 2001 he was hired to start the program at Truman. He later teamed with Curtis and Josh Hanlon (Neshaminy coach) to form the Arrowhead club program, which has grown steadily in Lower Bucks County during the past few years.

Pennsbury (12-8 overall) finished second in the Suburban One National Conference last year, while advancing to the second round of the District 1 playoffs where they fell to eventual runner-up Downingtown East.

“I am definitely a more defensive-minded coach than Dean, but I am very lucky to have such a potent offense returning,” said Huber, whose defense yielded just 6.85 goals per game last year. “That will help me out.

“I want to rely on teamwork. I think I am a good motivator. With our depth, I think we can be in every game.”

Huber said Curtis and his coach at Archbishop Ryan – Chris Bates, who recently moved from head coach of Drexel to Bill Tierney’s replacement at Princeton – still serve as mentors.

“It’s really hard for any new coach to take over after a guy like Dean Curtis,” said Huber. “Dean is not only a friend, but a mentor. I really respect him and his knowledge of the game, and what he did with the Pennsbury program.”

Huber admitted expectations will be high in 2010.

“We lost all three starting close defensemen,” said Huber. “But we return all but one of our key players on offense and we scored a lot of goals last year.

“I think everyone expects us to at least repeat what we did last year and again make a run at the playoffs. Anything short of that would be a disappointment.”