By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/6/17
Evan Bohner, former St. Joseph’s Prep assistant who also coaches with the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, has been named head boys’ lacrosse coach at Cardinal O’Hara.
Bohner – a Conestoga grad – was the defensive coordinator for SJ Prep the past four years and was on the staff that led the Hawks to the PIAA finals in 2015. He also has coached with the Duke’s LC program since 2012, first as a general assistant/box coach then as a defensive coordinator for all age levels and Duke’s 2 and currently as Co-Founder and head defensive coach of Duke’s Mainline.
Bohner, who coached for Conestoga Youth Lacrosse while in high school, also was the Defensive Coordinator at Upper Merion from 2010-2013 (2010 Suburban One American Conference Champions).
What made you interested in the O’Hara job?
Bohner: “I became interested in the O’Hara job after talking to O’hara players and their families this fall while at the Duke’s Ricky Whalen Clinics. The players were very talented and enthusiastic kids, and I think the mix of that talent and enthusiasm, with timing made O’Hara a perfect spot for me at this stage in my career. This is a program that wants to get better, and I identify with that immensely. I want to keep getting better and be the best coach I possibly can, so having the opportunity to coach a bunch of young men who share in that goal with me is pretty exciting I think.’
What are your short-term goals?
Bohner: “My short term goals for O’Hara are to get better, win as many games as possible and to have a lot of fun doing it. I want nothing more then to create a culture and environment where the kids can’t wait to get to practice every day and get better, to compete with themselves and each other every single day with a singular vision of improving the team.”
What are your long-term goals?
Bohner: “My long term goals for O’Hara are very simple, to improve as many player’s games as possible, to win as many games as possible, to win as many Philadelphia Catholic League titles as possible, and ultimately win as many State Championship titles as possible. I am aware that there are many great lacrosse programs in the greater Philadelphia area, but if my goal isn’t ultimately to win a PIAA State Championship, then I have no business running this or any other program.”
What is your coaching philosophy?
Bohner: “Know your role, execute your assignment, do your job, and most importantly enjoy yourself. In the end, if it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.”
What coaches have impacted your evolution as a coach?
Bohner: “I have so many coaches I’d like to thank for helping me get to this point in my career. First, Brady McCormick at Upper Merion High School for giving me a chance in 2010, Eric Gregg for bringing me aboard SJP in 2014, Sean Delaney for keeping me around SJP in 2016 and 2017. Coaches Ebe Helm, Jason Christmas of the Duke’s Lacrosse program who gave me a chance in 2012 when no other program in the area would. They, alongside coaches Mike Mackrides, Chris Fallon, Joe Vetrone, and Bruce Vosburgh, really supported me and coached me up while I coached up the Duke’s players for a long time during my early days with the program.
“I’d also like to thank Coaches Roman Kupecky, Phil David, Bill McGlone, Frank Kerwood, Josh Wilkocz, Paul Mita, Connor Dent, Drew Davis, Tom Young and Drew Haig for all their help.
“But the Coach I think that had the most profound impact on my coaching career is former SJP head coach and close personal friend Andrew German, now the Defensive Coordinator at Cleveland State. I learned more under him in one year then I learned in my seven other years as a varsity assistant coach combined. He taught me a lot about team identity, vision and commitment to coaching. I learned a lot from him about preparation and ultimately, he taught me what it takes to win a lacrosse game. Andrew is a true friend and the best lacrosse coach I have ever been around.”
Bohner seeks assistant varsity coaches; any interested parties to email him their resumes at eeb4123@gmail.com.