By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/22/23
Robert Amanto has taken many roles in a short time, so moving up to the job as head boys’ lacrosse coach at his alma mater, Avon Grove, does not feel too daunting.
Amanto was recently named to replace Brian Wallace after serving one year as an Avon Grove assistant. A 2016 Avon Grove grad, he doubled last year as head coach at West Chester University, which won the NCLL Division II National Championship in the spring.
Amanto also was an assistant at fellow Ches-Mont League member Downingtown West from 2019-2022 while he played and coached at West Chester. The WCU squad asked Amanto to serve as coach after he graduated in 2020.
“I’ve been learning to navigate a busy schedule since I was a junior in college,” said Amanto.
Amanto was a member of the Avon Grove 2016 squad that reached the PIAA quarterfinals. In 2017, the Devils won their first PIAA crown.
Now, Amanto looks to maintain Avon Grove’s rich tradition.
“It’s a full circle moment,” he said.
What will Amanto stress as head coach?
“In the simplest way, I emphasize to the kids that we want to go 1-0 every day, whether we’re in the community, the classroom on on the field,” he said. “We want to find a way to get better every day.”
Last year Avon Grove finished 11-8 and fell to Garnet Valley in the first round of the District 1 3A tournament.
Amanto, who played one season at Centenary before transferring to WCU, said he’s had great role models, starting from fellow teammates to coaches he’s had in high school and college and those he has coached under. He credited former Avon Grove head coach Eric Jackson along with Wallace and former assistant Dan Decklebaum; Downingtown West coaches Billy Davis (head coach) and Ray Beneke; and Team 302 coaches Keevin Galbraith and Jay Motta for their impact on him in maturing into a head coach. He also recognized former Avon Grove teammates and standout players Nick Cardile, Bryce Reid, Brayden Peck, Bryce De Muth and Jake Smith for helping develop his lax IQ.
“I think I have had the privilege of being around some of the best in the area since I picked up a stick, as a player and also while learning as an assistant,” said Amanto.
Although his experience coaching at the college level was non-varsity, Amanto said his time at West Chester also will serve him well at Avon Grove.
“I think coaching at that level helps a lot. I have been in playoff and conference and national playoffs where the loser goes home,” he said. “I’ve also coached in playoff games with Downingtown West and Avon Grove, and I’ve played in states. I am not shy to the moment.”
