This is a topic gaining a lot of conversation in other forums & platforms. Curious to hear what TCB Nation thinks. Maybe it warrants a podcast instead with the depth of the topic. I personally don't love the 5th year option and appreciate competing for 4 years and getting your degree. We’re already seeing current NCAA seniors announce their 5th year commitments for 2028 (SMU, JHU, etc.) As that timeline becomes more real, I’m curious how recruiting conversations are changing with high school/club players. In Minnesota at the D1 level this will affect a smaller group of players than it might in some traditional lacrosse hotbeds. But the impact is real at the D2 level and soon D3 once they pass the 5 in 5. You can argue fewer players may choose to stay at a D2 or D3 program for a fifth year if the additional tuition and expenses are difficult to justify even with the money they may get whether it is scholarship at D2 and FA at D2/D3. So it could be a lesser factor. But, that could affect how players think about their options earlier in high school and how coaches talk about roster spots, development, and long-term plans. I also wonder whether the uncertainty will lead more players to panic and attend more showcases at younger ages, hoping to get noticed before their recruiting process begins. But more events don’t automatically mean more exposure—or better opportunities. It’s worth asking whether the time and money spent on another showcase would be better invested in improving on the field, building relationships with the right programs, or choosing events that fit their goals and current level. How are these changes shaping conversations with players and families? Are you seeing more urgency to attend showcases earlier, and how do you help players decide which ones are actually worth their time and money? How are we as coaches also helping them physically see the level that is right for them? It is a balance to be realistic but also know it can affect whether a player stays in the club program for example.

I'll jump on the bandwagon of helping make this a way bigger deal then it probably should be. Is this a non story or is this a red flag that people should be up in arms about? I know people like to knock down glass houses as soon as they seen one and get outraged at every turn, but I guess I am not all that surprised by this job posting/salary of a HS Football coach in the south. Yeah I get it, he's probably one of the higher paid positions in the district, but it probably comes with the most scrutiny and the least amount of job security as well. If your losing games in a football crazy market, good luck taking your family out to dinner. Since we are comparing, if a Math teacher messes up a lesson on a Tuesday they probably aren't going to be on the hot seat on Wednesday. The other piece of this is the revenue driving, or at a minimum the opportunity for the football program to drive serious revenue for the athletic department that would easily cover this salary. If a math teacher went out and did an extra 10 hours per week/52 weeks a year of tutoring, they could drive some serious extra income for themselves on the side. Just a thought. What's your take on this situation? https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3580485/alabama-high-school-offering-dollar180k-salary-for-head-football-coach-which-i

I put together a couple of spreadsheets based on two things I noticed in Mitchell Pehlke’s video, “How Johns Hopkins Actually Recruits Lacrosse Players.” Whenever I watch a video, listen to a podcast, or consume other lacrosse content, I try to take away a few ideas for my coaching binder and notes. The first spreadsheet is based on Johns Hopkins’ draft board for its 2028 recruiting class. The layout is fairly simple, but it’s interesting to see how they organize the board with rankings, positions, notes, and other details. I’m always curious to see how different programs manage their recruiting process. The second is based on the metrics board on the wall in their video room. Analytics has come up here in The Coaches Box, and this offers a glimpse of the information one Division I program likes to track. Feel free to share your thoughts or examples from other programs. I’ll close with my favorite quote from the video, as Coach K talks to a recruit: “Do you like jewelry? I like jewelry, too. I’ve got a couple of rings. Do you want one? All right, then talk to your parents and call me back when you figure that out.”

Thought I would share a little passion project. I love breaking down film, so I began pulling clips of different things I like and breaking them down. Could be a technique or a set play. Check it out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laxilike/ Love to chat more if you like any of the concepts.