New Direction for Boys Lacrosse
Jeremy Phelps moves west to take over Mustangs; former player and experienced boss says game's similarities to others and its athleticism 'just does it for me.'
A combination of occurrences brought Jeremy Phelps to Denver.
Perhaps two of the more-prominent were that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic certainly made it difficult to sustain a coaching job in college lacrosse and he has multiple friends in the area.
Plus, Phelps said, residing in the Denver area was a major allure as “I’m a big snowboarder.”
So he moved here about a year ago and has landed the job as head coach of Mullen boys lacrosse.
“I could choose where I wanted to go,” he said of contemplating his latest move, “and it’s the right place at the right time.”
Phelps has an extensive, 11-year record of experience.
--- He’s with Denver’s 3D Lacrosse, responsible for the 2023 AA team that is ranked seventh nationally among clubs.
--- He was the director of recruiting for Hammers Lacrosse Club in Leesburg, Va., assisting with the recruitment of some 250 prep players.
--- In a stint at Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., Phelps’ teams played in a National Championship game, produced multiple All-Americans and were among national leaders in several offensive categories.
--- At the University of Massachusetts, Phelps helped the Minutemen to a national ranking, the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season and tournament titles, and had a player drafted by Major League Lacrosse.
--- He also was at Rhodes College, the U.S. Naval Academy, Goucher College, Marywood University and Guilford College, and garnered assorted coaching awards.
A graduate of Winthrop, Phelps later earned a masters’ in athletic administration from Goucher.
“I think this will be a good place and I’m excited,” Phelps said.
For him, he said lacrosse “is a combination of so many other sports – basketball, soccer, football … all of these games, I think, combined with the athleticism, just does it for me.”
Said Mullen principal Jeff Howard: “I am very excited about the direction of the boys lacrosse program and thrilled for the players on the team.”
Phelps’ understanding of the tactical game, athletic director Melynda Brown said, as well as his “years of experience coaching lacrosse at multiple levels and his drive to be a good role model for kids, we know he is the perfect fit for our boys lacrosse program. I am excited to see him bring lacrosse to the next level at Mullen High School.”
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