Athletic Director David Brandon and Coach John Paul
John Paul is officially Michigan’s first varsity lacrosse coach. What does it mean?
Although anybody paying attention knew that JP’s appointment would be a foregone conclusion, he now has the ability to officially state “I am the varsity lacrosse coach, come to Michigan.” In fact, Lacrosse Magazine couldn’t catch up with him the other day, because he was in Texas recruiting.
Coach Paul’s appointment also ensures that the fundraising (and relationship-building) that he’s done in the past several years as he worked toward a varsity program at Michigan will remain in place. The donors that he’s cultivated will help make a lacrosse-specific facility a reality as soon as possible, and JP’s connections in the Division-1 world (including with the ECAC, Detroit’s Matt Holtz, and Dave Pietramala of Johns Hopkins, for starters) will help the program get off on the right foot.
It means that Michigan’s current 10 commits are certain to join the maize-and-blue this fall, with no fear of them decommitting. In fact, at least a couple will probably start, depending on what happens with incoming transfers.
Perhaps most importantly (from a program, rather than a team standpoint), given what we’ve seen transpire with the football coaching position over the past four years or so, it gives the Wolverines a Michigan Man as head coach. JP played here, he’s coached here for the past 14 years, and it seems unlikely that he would leave for another job. He understands the culture of Michigan, and can sell his individual passion for the school to recruits.
It also means Ken Broschart is certain to earn one of the assistant coaching positions. The question becomes who fills the other two spots. A high-profile name, to make up for the lack of buzz surrounding JP’s name in the Division-1 world? A young, dynamic recruiter with East Coast connections? It will be interesting to see the direction they go filling those spots.
For now, Michigan lacrosse is in good hand with John Paul, and we have a long time to worry about answering the other questions.