LEXINGTON, Va. – Now in his second year at VMI, head lacrosse coach Brian Anken has announced the addition of Richard Carrington to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2012 season.
Carrington joins Anken’s staff with an extensive coaching résumé. He most recently served as the head men’s lacrosse coach at NCAA Division III Alvernia University in Reading, Pa. While at Alvernia, which competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference, Carrington lead the Crusaders to their lowest goals-against-average in program history last season.
Prior to his arrival in Reading, Carrington founded the men’s lacrosse program at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pa. As the program’s first head coach, Carrington was responsible for recruiting the 37-member inaugural class representing 10 different states and Canadian provinces.
Carrington has also had assistant coaching stints at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. and Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. In 2008, Carrington helped Mars Hill to the program’s first Deep South Conference Championship. To his credit, Carrington coached a much-improved defensive unit that allowed 10.29 goals per game in 2008, down from 11.21 in the previous season. That defensive unit produced three All-Conference selections and a participant in the prestigious North-South All-Star Game.
Carrington earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mars Hill in 2003. As an undergraduate he competed as a four-year defensive starter for the Lions and graduated as Mars Hill’s career ground ball leader (268).
Carrington is no stranger to the Commonwealth. A native of Charlottesville, he spent two seasons as the head boys’ varsity lacrosse coach at Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach. During that time his team reached the 2007 Division I State Quarterfinals.
“I have known and tracked coach Carrington’s career since his time at Kenyon. He is a great coach and educator and will provide an immediate impact to our program,” said Anken. “Coach Carrington brings a tremendous level of knowledge and energy, but most importantly has been involved in the building process of successful programs.”
This season Carrington will work directly with the Keydets’ defensive unit with an added focus on the defensive development of all midfielders. His additional responsibilities will include recruiting, scouting, game planning as well as organizing camps and coaching clinics.
In addition to Carrington, Anken’s assistant coaching staff this spring will be comprised of Curtis Jaques ’07 and Tony Mackin.
The Keydets open the 2012 slate in Annapolis, Md. when they take on the Midshipmen of the US Naval Academy. Game time is set for noon on Feb. 11 at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.