Atlanta Blaze Coaching Staff Finalized
Published on May 1, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
ATLANTA, GA - The Atlanta Blaze are excited to announce Todd Francis as Defensive Coordinator and Pat March as Offensive Coordinator. They will join Head Coach Liam Banks and Assistant Coach Spencer Ford, who are excited for Francis and March to complete the Atlanta Blaze coaching staff for the 2019 season. "What stands out about both Todd and Pat is how easy it is to be around them," said Spencer Ford. "They have contagious personalities, and I look forward to sharing many great times with them."
Spencer Ford had high praise for Coach Francis, "Todd has an outstanding mind for the game, particularly the defensive side of the ball. He can see weaknesses in opposing offenses and players and attack them." "Todd Francis has over 30 years of coaching experience at all levels," said Liam Banks. "Todd has a great mind for the game and will help to solidify the defensive side of the field."
Liam Banks is excited to see what Coach March can do, "Pat March is one of the brightest young offensive minds in lacrosse. He brings a fresh look to the Atlanta Blaze that will help generate more goals for our team." "I have known Pat for many years," said Spencer Ford. "It was clear at a young age that he would follow in his dad's footprints and become a coach. He has an incredible system at Princeton and will be bringing a similar style to the Blaze. Pat sees the game at a very high level."
Todd Francis - Defensive Coordinator
Coach Francis currently also coaches at Coaching Plant HS in Tampa, Florida. He began coaching Newburyport High School (MA) in its inaugural season in 2002, and while there twice won Coach of the Year honors. Francis has a plethora of indoor coaching experience. Francis coached the United States U-19 Indoor Lacrosse team in 2015. He also was the Defensive Coordinator for the professional indoor Boston Blazers lacrosse team in 2009. He was the Defensive Coordinator for the US Men's Indoor Lacrosse team that won the Bronze Medal in the 2007 World Championships in Halifax Nova Scotia. Francis was an All-New England goalie for the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass. Francis attended Cornell University as an LSM. In his senior year, he was a Division I All-American and was an NCAA Championship runner-up. Francis played for the Boston Blazers for their entire existence and captained the team in their final year.
Pat March - Offense Coordinator
Pat March has been the Offensive Coordinator at Princeton since 2016. Under March, Princeton has finished third (in 2018) and second (in 2017) in Division I in scoring offense, and the Tigers averaged 14.2 goals per game in those two years combined. As the offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons at Vermont, March helped the Catamounts go from 55th in Division I in scoring offense to twice finishing 11th, including 2016, when UVM averaged 12.35 goals per game. The Catamounts had their best season ever to date in 2016, reaching the America East championship game before falling by a goal. March spent two seasons coaching at Division III Dickinson College, during which time the team rose to as high as No. 2 nationally and won two conference titles. March began his coaching career at Roanoke, his alma mater, in the 2011 season, when the Maroons reached the NCAA semifinals. At Roanoke, March was a two-time All-America attackman before graduating in 2010 with a degree in criminal justice.
The Atlanta Blaze will kick off the 2019 season on Sunday, June 2 at 4 p.m. against the defending champion Denver Outlaws. All eight Atlanta Blaze home games are at Grady Stadium in Midtown Atlanta. Single-game tickets are on sale now at AtlantaBlaze.com/Tickets.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 1, 2019
- Atlanta Blaze Coaching Staff Finalized - Atlanta Blaze
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