By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/21/15
Kevin Philibin has been named the head boys’ lacrosse coach at Bayard Rustin.
Philibin, a 2006 Avon Grove graduate, served as an assistant coach at Rustin under Tommy Hannum the past three years. Hannum resigned last month to spend more time with his family.
Philibin, who started for four years at defense and LSM at MCLA member South Carolina, also was an assistant at Unionville in 2011 and is an assistant coach with Fusion Lacrosse.
What is your coaching philosophy?
Philibin: “From an X’s and O’s standpoint I love to play a fast paced, high pressure, up and down style of lacrosse. But as always, I will gear our offensive and defensive philosophies to the players we have and be sure we are putting them in the best position to succeed. I’m all about running high energy, faced paced practices that get the players as many touches as possible. Creating an active, fast paced, fun practice that keeps players engaged in is extremely important to me.
“Being the head coach includes much more than just games and practices, though. I’ll be working closely with the coaching staff, AD, boosters, middle school coaches, and youth program to be sure that we are building an entire program, not just a one-season team.”
What are the short-term goals for the program?
Philibin: “For each of the past two years Rustin has put together its best season to date, going 9-9 in 2014 and 10-9 with a District 1 playoff berth in 2015, and we’re excited to continue to build on that success. Our goals are to be in the mix for the Ches-Mont championship, make the District 1 playoffs again and win the first playoff game in Rustin history. Of course, beating both WC Henderson and WC East is always on the list as well. We have a great group of seniors this year and would love to send them out on a high note.”
What are the long-term goals for the program?
Philibin: “I believe Rustin has all of the tools to be able to compete at the highest level, year in and year out. Our goal is to continuously compete for the Ches-Mont championship and a berth in the state playoffs. We want to play the top competition in the area and show that we belong in that conversation. My goal is to have Rustin Lacrosse, and in particular, the great student athletes who are a part of it, consistently on the map. I will also word hard helping my players continue their playing career at the next level and help them through the recruiting process so they can find institutions that fit them as a person and player, and put them into a great position to succeed in the next step in their lives.”
How has your coaching background shaped you?
Philibin: “I started out as the JV coach at Unionville High School in 2011 while I was in graduate school and was there for two seasons. While there I had the opportunity to learn from coaches John Rohde and Bruce Vosburgh, who really helped shape my outlook on the sport and coaching from the start of my career. In the fall of 2012 I accepted a chemistry teaching position at West Chester Rustin and came on to the lacrosse staff as the head JV and assistant varsity coach there. Again, I was lucky to be able to work alongside some great coaches in Jason Wolensky and most recently Tommy Hannum among others. I also work for the club program Fusion Lacrosse as a coach and the Head of Recruiting, where I get to work closely with some of the best coaches and current players in the game.”
Leave a Reply