TopJInterview: Coach Bill Daye 10/03/2010
One of the biggest active personalities in the game, Coach Bill Daye blogs regularly about the world of lacrosse and his experiences within it. He's played NCAA ball, MLL, coaches an MLL Franchise, works for a lacrosse company,... it's safe to say this guy lives and breathes lacrosse and his voice on the game carries significant weight. TopJLax checked in with him to find out about his career and to ask a few questions about the current state of the game.
TopJLax: Hi Bill, welcome to TopJLax and a warm welcome from all our UK readers. How are you doing today?
Bill Daye: I'm doing well thanks for asking.
TopJLax: We’d like to start by introducing you as one of the “lucky ones” who’ve managed to carve a career out of lacrosse. Other than coaching the Boston Cannons which is where most people will know you from could you describe what other roles you currently have?
Bill Daye: Other than the Cannons I am the Director of Team Sales for New England for Lacrosse Unlimited and I also am the owner of Lax-School.com, a one click source for lacrosse. We have 2-3 mins videos encompassing the sport as a whole. Not just on the field but off the field…..for the player, the coach, the parent, the enthusiast. [lax-school.com, facebook.com/laxschool, twitter.com/laxschool, youtube.com/laxschool]
TopJLax: Which city do you live in currently, and how much time do you actually get to spend there these days?
Bill Daye: I live in Hingham, Massachusetts which is about 15-20 minutes south of Boston. During the Summer my time is limited as I'm traveling for the MLL but also doing camps, etc.
TopJLax: You played over at Chapel Hill for the Tar Heels, what is your favorite memory from your playing days there?
Bill Daye: Being in the final four all four years and winning the NCAA championship in 1991 as we went 16-0.
TopJLax: Who were your biggest rivals?
Bill Daye: Hopkins, Syracuse, Maryland, Virginia.
TopJLax: You were involved playing in the MLL during its infancy, what was the league like back then and how has it changed?
Bill Daye: The league was more of a "glorified club league". Guys worked out and all but it's nothing like today as these players are all training basically year round to be in the best physical shape possible. We had the best players back then just as we do now but the game was a little more of an all-star game, lots of high scoring affairs, very little emphasis on defense. It was a blast and it was definitely an honor to be one of the originals.
TopJLax: There’s a lot of talk these days about the game being over coached and too specialized at the collegiate levels these days resulting in less free flowing and transition lacrosse and more half field slow down play. One could argue that the players in the MLL level have more freedom to express themselves and the purists have a more “flowing game”. What are your thoughts on this subject?
Bill Daye: I've heard the same thing. College coaches have to coach with what they have, meaning if they have personnel that suits a more slow down game than so be it. I am definitely a fan of the fast pace, run and gun style of lacrosse. It was how we played at Carolina back in the day and it's truly what you see in the MLL today. A lot of that has to do with the amount of talent in the MLL with only 6 teams and the fact that we don't practice 4-5x a week (more like 1x if lucky) so the players are given more freedom to be creative.
TopJLax: Your current role is as coach of the Boston Cannons MLL Franchise, who suffered a tough loss this year in the Final Fours. Were you disappointed with the team’s performance in the game or was it more down to the performance of your opposition?
Bill Daye: Hats off to Chesapeake, they peaked at the right time of the year and played a nearly perfect game. Unfortunately for us we did not play our best game and we played possibly our worst half of lacrosse all season and it took its toll on us as they built a pretty big lead and it was hard for us to get back in the game. Everyone in that locker room was disappointed as we all knew we were a far better team than the performance we put forth.
TopJLax: Is it difficult to coach a group of players who have so much experience, or does that make it easier?
Bill Daye: it's a combination of both to be honest. We're coaching some of the best players in the game so it's a balancing act so to speak. At times I let guys be vocal and be involved more because they're the ones on the field going through what occurred, etc. (if that makes sense). Then there are times where as the head coach you need to make the decision(s), etc.
TopJLax: How have this year's rookies fitted in?
Bill Daye: We had a great class of rookies this year, only a few got a chance to actually play but we foresee this year's class contributing in the future for sure.
TopJLax: What would you attribute Matt Poskay’s great season to?
Bill Daye: I attribute Matt's great season to his hard work, bottom line. Matt understands what it takes to be successful in the MLL and he worked his butt of to get back to his previous form before he was diagnosed with Cancer.
Bill Daye: I'm doing well thanks for asking.
TopJLax: We’d like to start by introducing you as one of the “lucky ones” who’ve managed to carve a career out of lacrosse. Other than coaching the Boston Cannons which is where most people will know you from could you describe what other roles you currently have?
Bill Daye: Other than the Cannons I am the Director of Team Sales for New England for Lacrosse Unlimited and I also am the owner of Lax-School.com, a one click source for lacrosse. We have 2-3 mins videos encompassing the sport as a whole. Not just on the field but off the field…..for the player, the coach, the parent, the enthusiast. [lax-school.com, facebook.com/laxschool, twitter.com/laxschool, youtube.com/laxschool]
TopJLax: Which city do you live in currently, and how much time do you actually get to spend there these days?
Bill Daye: I live in Hingham, Massachusetts which is about 15-20 minutes south of Boston. During the Summer my time is limited as I'm traveling for the MLL but also doing camps, etc.
TopJLax: You played over at Chapel Hill for the Tar Heels, what is your favorite memory from your playing days there?
Bill Daye: Being in the final four all four years and winning the NCAA championship in 1991 as we went 16-0.
TopJLax: Who were your biggest rivals?
Bill Daye: Hopkins, Syracuse, Maryland, Virginia.
TopJLax: You were involved playing in the MLL during its infancy, what was the league like back then and how has it changed?
Bill Daye: The league was more of a "glorified club league". Guys worked out and all but it's nothing like today as these players are all training basically year round to be in the best physical shape possible. We had the best players back then just as we do now but the game was a little more of an all-star game, lots of high scoring affairs, very little emphasis on defense. It was a blast and it was definitely an honor to be one of the originals.
TopJLax: There’s a lot of talk these days about the game being over coached and too specialized at the collegiate levels these days resulting in less free flowing and transition lacrosse and more half field slow down play. One could argue that the players in the MLL level have more freedom to express themselves and the purists have a more “flowing game”. What are your thoughts on this subject?
Bill Daye: I've heard the same thing. College coaches have to coach with what they have, meaning if they have personnel that suits a more slow down game than so be it. I am definitely a fan of the fast pace, run and gun style of lacrosse. It was how we played at Carolina back in the day and it's truly what you see in the MLL today. A lot of that has to do with the amount of talent in the MLL with only 6 teams and the fact that we don't practice 4-5x a week (more like 1x if lucky) so the players are given more freedom to be creative.
TopJLax: Your current role is as coach of the Boston Cannons MLL Franchise, who suffered a tough loss this year in the Final Fours. Were you disappointed with the team’s performance in the game or was it more down to the performance of your opposition?
Bill Daye: Hats off to Chesapeake, they peaked at the right time of the year and played a nearly perfect game. Unfortunately for us we did not play our best game and we played possibly our worst half of lacrosse all season and it took its toll on us as they built a pretty big lead and it was hard for us to get back in the game. Everyone in that locker room was disappointed as we all knew we were a far better team than the performance we put forth.
TopJLax: Is it difficult to coach a group of players who have so much experience, or does that make it easier?
Bill Daye: it's a combination of both to be honest. We're coaching some of the best players in the game so it's a balancing act so to speak. At times I let guys be vocal and be involved more because they're the ones on the field going through what occurred, etc. (if that makes sense). Then there are times where as the head coach you need to make the decision(s), etc.
TopJLax: How have this year's rookies fitted in?
Bill Daye: We had a great class of rookies this year, only a few got a chance to actually play but we foresee this year's class contributing in the future for sure.
TopJLax: What would you attribute Matt Poskay’s great season to?
Bill Daye: I attribute Matt's great season to his hard work, bottom line. Matt understands what it takes to be successful in the MLL and he worked his butt of to get back to his previous form before he was diagnosed with Cancer.
TopJLax: Most readers in the UK probably wouldn’t realize that many of your players work during the week, and travel the country at the weekend to play the game. Firstly, what sort of varied careers do your players have?
Bill Daye: yes it's difficult at times to be honest. We have lawyers, stock brokers, real estate, coaches, manufacture reps (STX, Brine, Warrior, etc.)
TopJLax: Secondly, how does the physical condition of players change once they leave college? Are there grounds to conclude that they are in the best shape of their career after their senior season and that this may diminish with the combination of less regular training and more time at work?
Bill Daye: It's definitely a wakeup call for some guys who are used to their college coaches on top of them 24-7. When they graduate and enter the MLL the onus is now on them to get into the shape they need to be in to compete at the MLL level. Over the past few seasons you see a lot more guys understanding this and basically training almost year round.
TopJLax: Thirdly, how often do you practice, and is this difficult as a coach not to have as much contact time as you’d probably like?
Bill Daye: We practice 1-2x a week if possible. We're allowed 1 full practice a week per MLL rules. For Boston for example, we get a full practice usually for home games only. Away games are too difficult to get a full practice in so most of the time we have a game day walk through (both home & on the road) for an hour or so to get loose, shoot and go over any last minute details (EMO/MDD, strategies, etc.).
TopJLax: If it’s not too controversial a subject, what are your thoughts on the LXM Pro tour, is it competitor to the MLL or is our sport still at the stage that anything that promotes the game is a good thing?
Bill Daye: I don’t feel the LXM Pro Tour is a competitor of Major League Lacrosse. Honestly I think it's great for the sport as a whole and would love to see the players play in both. In my opinion the LXM tour is more of a lifestyle event with lacrosse involved and it appeals to a different fan.
Bill Daye: yes it's difficult at times to be honest. We have lawyers, stock brokers, real estate, coaches, manufacture reps (STX, Brine, Warrior, etc.)
TopJLax: Secondly, how does the physical condition of players change once they leave college? Are there grounds to conclude that they are in the best shape of their career after their senior season and that this may diminish with the combination of less regular training and more time at work?
Bill Daye: It's definitely a wakeup call for some guys who are used to their college coaches on top of them 24-7. When they graduate and enter the MLL the onus is now on them to get into the shape they need to be in to compete at the MLL level. Over the past few seasons you see a lot more guys understanding this and basically training almost year round.
TopJLax: Thirdly, how often do you practice, and is this difficult as a coach not to have as much contact time as you’d probably like?
Bill Daye: We practice 1-2x a week if possible. We're allowed 1 full practice a week per MLL rules. For Boston for example, we get a full practice usually for home games only. Away games are too difficult to get a full practice in so most of the time we have a game day walk through (both home & on the road) for an hour or so to get loose, shoot and go over any last minute details (EMO/MDD, strategies, etc.).
TopJLax: If it’s not too controversial a subject, what are your thoughts on the LXM Pro tour, is it competitor to the MLL or is our sport still at the stage that anything that promotes the game is a good thing?
Bill Daye: I don’t feel the LXM Pro Tour is a competitor of Major League Lacrosse. Honestly I think it's great for the sport as a whole and would love to see the players play in both. In my opinion the LXM tour is more of a lifestyle event with lacrosse involved and it appeals to a different fan.
Preparation and conditioning are both factors that contribute to success on the field. College athletes are coached to an extreme level to maximise both of these, so that they have the best possible chance of success once that first whistle blows. Due to the time constraints of pursuing a career, once leaving college MLL players are subject to the same difficulties as UK players in how to balance their work schedule with gym time, wall time, and any possible chance to have a stick in your hand. Coach Bill Daye's insight into how his players cope and the Boston Cannon franchise deals with this brings up an interesting question. How much are you prepared to take the game seriously? What will you do off the field to improve?
