Hard Work Pays Off For Broschart
Photo Credit – Michigan Lacrosse
Entering his third season as a Wolverines Assistant Coach, Ken Broschart‘s main focus will continue to be with the Michigan offense. In the last two seasons, the Wolverines have put up some impressive numbers up front, scoring 15.46 goals per game in ’08 and 16.43 in ’09. Broschart’s presence has also been extremely instrumental in the Wolverines’ back-to-back National Championships that coincide with his arrival.
After four years at the helm of the Arizona Wildcats as the team’s Head Coach, Broschart came to Ann Arbor with an impressive resume. During his tenure, he built a 55-23 (.705) overall record at Arizona, while guiding the Wildcats to three WCLL finals and four MCLA National Championship tournament appearances during that span. Broschart was also named the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League Coach of the Year in 2004.
Originally hailing from Long Island, N.Y., Broschart was a four-year defenseman at the New York Institute of Technology where he was a three-year NCAA D-II All-American and team captain during his senior year.
As Michigan gets ready to defend their back-to-back MCLA titles, Coach Broschart took a few minutes from his busy schedule to talk with CollegeLAX about his coaching philosophy and the 2010 season on tap.
CollegeLAX: Two straight MCLA titles and a nifty 40-0 record over the last two seasons…. Do you think it would that easy when you took the job in Ann Arbor? (laughs…)
Ken Broschart (KB): Well, let me start by saying that it was far from easy. I have worked harder in two years at Michigan then I did in all five years combined at Arizona. When I took the job here, I knew this team was well coached and the program was run like a Varsity program. What I did not know was the type of players that we had. And not just the talent, but the character of the guys. The players here are a pleasure to coach, they work extremely hard both on and off the field and they truly inspire me to work harder for them every day. It is really our players that made the past two years so successful and “easy.”
CollegeLAX: For those who aren’t necessarily familiar with your style, how would you describe your offensive philosophy?
KB: It can be described in two key things. One: Put the players in areas where they can succeed. We run a structure offense that allows us to not have to think much out there, just react. And Two: Get lots of high quality opportunities. I think our commitment to Groundballs, Riding, and Face offs; help us generate more opportunities then our opponents…..Or Just throw it to Yealy on the crease.
CollegeLAX: You mentioned 1st team MCLA All-America Trevor Yealy. It’s got to be gratifying to coach such a superb offensive threat. What makes him such a dynamic player?
KB: Trevor is a special player, he just makes plays and always makes an impact in our games. Honestly, what makes him great is how humble he is. He could have five goals in the game and still be upset if he should of had six. He is a great person to represent our team; he always works hard on the field, he is a great rider, he tough on Ground balls, and he listens to coaching. He is still maturing as well, this year he has gotten a drive to really improving his game and putting in the work outside of practice.
CollegeLAX: What should we look for in 2010, offensively from the Michigan Wolverines? 16+ goals per game is a tough act to follow.
KB: Hopefully, more of the same. We return some amazing players at attack and a couple strong pieces at midfield. It really will be determined by how well we improve our sticks over the next couple of months.
CollegeLAX: Obviously Coach John Paul has developed a monster MCLA program in Ann Arbor. But off the field, how is the University of Michigan different then the University of Arizona?
KB: Beside the 70 degrees difference in temperature? I would have to say that I feel more a part of the university here. We have our own offices at the school and our team is treated in many ways like a Varsity program. Along with that, the University of Michigan is tied to its long standing traditions. It has one of the greatest group of alumni in the country and everywhere I go people are in love with Michigan. It really makes me proud to be a part of that.
CollegeLAX: I know the question is often asked. But as a former All-America player at NY Tech, how do you personally compare MCLA ball to NCAA ball? Is it a fair comparison?
KB: I think the MCLA has improved so much in 8 years that I have been involved with it. I would say that our top teams are on the level of Division 3 Lacrosse and at times maybe give a bottom D1 team a game. But that is only our top teams. Our non tournament teams are still far behind. Yes, they may have a strong player or two here and there, but many teams are very “club.” If the MCLA wants to continue to grow more teams need to hire good coaches and keep those coaches around for more than a year or two. It is not a coincidence that the top teams have had long term coaches.
CollegeLAX: Do you hold any regrets or grudges about leaving the U of A? Is it difficult to see that program experience tougher times?
KB: Well, I was a young coach that really was running a $150,000 business at the time. I made many mistakes, but I have no regrets. I gave them everything I had and there were many wonderful moments in Arizona. And of course, I cannot regret leaving because I would never had experienced the last 2 years at Michigan. Yes, it is difficult to see them experience these tough times. Arizona Lacrosse has a proud tradition in this league and it would be great for the entire MCLA to see them back in the mix.
CollegeLAX: Do you envision being a Head Coach again? What would it take for you to leave Michigan?
KB: Tough question. Being our Coach Paul for the past 2+ years, I learned how a team should run. The guy really knows what he is doing and all of Michigan’s success should be attributed to him. Maybe years from now I might give it a shot. One of my lifetime dreams is to be a Div. 1 coach. With that said, it is going to be hard to find an experience better than the one I have here.
CollegeLAX: What tips would you offer to a new high school or college coach just breaking into the ranks?
KB: Be tough and instill discipline in the beginning, you can always back off a little bit later in the season. When many coaches are young, they try to be liked too much by the players. Then you try to discipline them and they don’t respond.
Treat everyone as equals. Everyone says it but when their star player is a problem they let him get away with things because they want to win. Stick to your morals. Also, coach the worst players the same as your best players. When that last guy on the bench scores or has his best game, it is one of the best days as a coach.
You can always work harder. The more time and effort you put it the more you can demand from your players and other coaches.
Lastly, Love what you do. Your players will learn to do the same and in return they will help keep this game growing.
CollegeLAX: How much do you talk about the undefeated streak? Is it even a topic of discussion with the players as you get ready for the 2010 season?
KB: I honestly, never hear it mentioned. Our goal is to be the last team standing and that is the only goal we have.
CollegeLAX: Do you care to offer a prediction of a Michigan three-peat?
KB: No predictions, I believe in our team and that is a long ways away. We have a lot of work to do. The season is a process, you need to build a solid foundation and hope a lot goes right along the way.
CollegeLAX: Last question. You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?
KB: Wow, how did you come up with this? Well, I guess I would take the screw out of the top of the blades. Then lie on top of the blade and hold on. When the blender started the blade would spin and hopefully I would fly out the top of the blender. Then I would probably be stepped on and die because I am only the size of a nickel.
CollegeLAX: Not bad for a NY tech grad. (laughs…) Good luck to the Wolverines this year.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:44 am WordPress 2.9.1
[...] or wall ball. Consider this interview with Michigan’s assistant coach Ken Broschart. In a Collegelax.us interview, he says, “Our non tournament teams are still far behind. Yes, they may have a [...]