The Ride: Lacrosse Podcast

Jim Stagnitta, Head Coach of the Maryland Whipsnakes, joins The Ride to discuss his over 30-plus year journey in lacrosse. Topics include leadership lessons he’s learned at various stops in his career, youth player development and current state of the club and tournament landscape. Finally, we wrap by recapping the Whipsnakes’ 2025 season and looking ahead to their 2026 campaign.

Eric Ruppel, Head Coach of Emory & Henry and Mexican National Team, joins The Ride to discuss the current Olympic and Worlds format, building E&H a day after Hurricane Helene, and updating lacrosse from the stone ages in Strength and Conditioning practices.

Paul Richards, Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for University of Richmond, joins The Ride to discuss the DNA of Defensive Culture, 3 core principles, the 2025 quarterfinal against Cornell, off-season player development, and more!

Elliot Bender (aka TheBoxLacrosseGuy) joins The Ride to discuss melding Box lacrosse principles into the field game. Other topics include, shooting techniques, 2 man game tips, and playing "paranoid" on the field.

Chris Burke, defensive coordinator at Hampton University, joins The Ride to discus a wide range of topics including Perimeter Midfield Defense, the influence of his Military Background on his Coaching Philosophy, bringing Intensity and Violence to practice, and how Hampton can notch their first win in program history in 2026.

Ryan Lanigan, Defensive Coordinator at Sienna, joins The Ride to discuss the correct way to teach sliding and recovering, the benefits of the V-hold, defensive strategies, footwork on approaches and how to foster player development.

Coach Kyle Hayes, Offensive Coordinator for LIU, joins for an insightful conversation on offensive player development, principles of offensive play and the path from playing in college to becoming a coach. They discuss the importance of creativity in offense, the art of breaking bad habits, effective recruiting strategies, and the significance of a strong riding and ground ball swarm mentality. 00...

Tom Mariano, Head Coach at Pace University, joins The Ride to talk the importance of skill development, practice planning as he delves into his extensive experience and innovative methods. Learn about his journey, from coaching college teams to international squads like Korea, and gain insights into motivational strategies, practice drills, and how to foster a love for the game. Whether you're a c...

Anthony Kelly, Head Coach of the California Redwoods, discusses various aspects of coaching, team building, and league dynamics. He shares insights on the importance of feedback, and rolling out new initiatives like reading 'The Energy Bus' by Jon Gordon for team motivation. Kelly emphasizes a focus on culture, especially for a team with both seasoned players and rookies, and highlights the import...

In this episode of The Ride, we sit down with former UVA associate head coach, Kip Turner. Topics include, what are the Top Traits of Great Goalies, UVA's rise and struggle in 2025, modern day recruiting, and more! Timestamps00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:39 Life After Coaching at UVA06:29 Advice for Aspiring Athletes and Parents09:03 Recruitment Insights and Challenges16:12 Managing Team Dynami...

In this episode of The Ride, we sit down with Terry Foy CEO of Inside Lacrosse to discuss Terry’s journey and his role in shaping the sport’s media landscape. If you're a fan of lacrosse or passionate about sports storytelling, this episode is a must-listen! Topics Discussed:    - Terry Foy’s background and journey in the lacrosse world   - The role of media in the evolution of lacrosse   - Challe...

In this episode, Spencer Ford, the newly appointed GM of the Chaos Lacrosse Club, discusses his transition to the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and his strategies for building a championship-caliber team. Ford delves into his approach to constructing a balanced roster, emphasizing both talent and chemistry. The conversation covers his past experiences in professional lacrosse and how they've shape...

In this episode of “The Ride”, host Zach Quezada sits down with lacrosse legend Tom Marechek. They dive into Tom’s journey from his early days playing box lacrosse in Canada to his collegiate success at Syracuse and his professional career with the Philadelphia Wings. Tom shares his insights on deception in shooting, the importance of self-practice, and reflections on some of the most memorable ga...

We sit with Mark Millon, former MLL and NLL legend, to discuss his journey from college to professional lacrosse, the evolution of player development, and insights into the modern game. Mark shares stories from his career, lessons on training the next generation of athletes, and his perspective on the current and future landscape of the sport. Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, this conve...

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Thomas, Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Coach at Christopher Newport University. We discuss the evolution of CNU's lacrosse program, innovative coaching strategies, and the principles that define their success. From breaking down a 10-man ride to emphasizing reads in offense. Zach shares a wealth of knowledge applicable to both players and coaches. Topics...

In this episode of The Ride , host Zach Quezada sits down with Zack Capozzi, the mind behind Lax Reference, to discuss the growing role of data and analytics in lacrosse. They explore trends in the 2025 season, the importance of shooting efficiency, and how coaches and players can use stats to their advantage. Zack also shares insights into how his platform is changing the way teams approach the g...

Jack Posey, is a current defender for the Chaos LC in the PLL. Jack shares his journey from being undrafted to making an impact in professional lacrosse, delving deep into the nuances of defensive techniques, training philosophies, and his role at the Lacrosse Barn—a premier training facility in Texas. This episode is packed with insights on player development, the importance of angles, and action...

In this compelling episode of The Ride , host Zach Quezada sits down with Coach Tom Gravante, a lacrosse legend who spent 28 years as the head coach at Mount St. Mary’s and is now an assistant coach at Bucknell. Joining them is Mark Hargrave, a former player for Coach Gravante who shares his perspective on Gravante’s indelible impact. Together, they delve into stories of resilience, team culture,...

Join Zach Quezada as he sits down with the legendary Chazz Woodson, former MLL All-Star and current head coach of Hampton University's lacrosse program. In this engaging conversation, Coach Woodson shares his journey from player to coach, his offensive philosophies, the challenges and rewards of building Hampton’s program, and how he instills creativity and discipline in his players. Discover insi...

Eric Dunne, Head Coach of Farmingdale (NY) and a University of Albany Alum, joins Zach to discuss teaching effective defensive checks, the importance of scouting, insights gleaned from top college coaches, and the impact of the Thompson brothers and Jake Piseno on the game. Coach Dunne reflects on his experiences, from state finals victories to tough losses, and shares his favorite drills and defe...

Join for an in-depth conversation with Auburn Lacrosse Head Coach JJ Arminio as he sits down to discuss the evolution and aspirations of the program. JJ provides insights into maintaining consistency in coaching staff, the impact of NIL agreements, strategies for overcoming tough rivals like Georgia and Georgia Tech, and the importance of alumni support. They also reminisce about the transformatio...

Join host Zach Quezada as he sits down with Mike Morgan, former HC at Merrimack where he won 2 back-to-back National Championships. This episode dives into Mike's defensive philosophy, understanding recruiting strategies, and the art of building a strong team culture. Discover how Morgan developed Merrimack's cohesive unity, the evolution of his defensive tactics, and key insights into man...

Welcome to Episode 2 of 'The Ride' with host Zach Quezada. In this episode, we sit down with Pat Aiello, head coach of Kellam Lacrosse. We discuss the importance of the pick game, effective shooting techniques, and the experience of transitioning high school lacrosse programs to the next level game management, and developing effective practice drills. 00:00 Intro 01:59 Coaching Journey Acr...

Join us for the first episode of 'The Ride,' where we sit down with Mark Hargrave, former Catholic HC and prominent lacrosse community member in the Hampton Roads area. Dive into a candid discussion about the dynamics of coaching, the mental and physical challenges players face today, and Mark's invaluable insights from over 30 years in the sport. Dive into a candid discussion about th...