Jack Boyden arrived at Virginia in 2023. The reigning Division III Outstanding Player of the Year came from Tufts for one season.
Turbulent patches followed.
Kevin Cassese, Virginia’s new offensive coordinator, helped Boyden through them.
“He epitomizes what a player’s coach is,” Boyden said at the time. “He really cares about his guys, and he’s really easy to talk to.”
Tuesday, after three seasons running the offense, Cassese was promoted. He spoke for the first time as head coach at an introductory press conference Wednesday, with colleagues and players far outnumbering the two rows of reporters.
The press conference capped a wild nine-day saga. Virginia announced May 18 that Lars Tiffany, its 10-year head coach and two-time national champion, “will not return.” There were times in the last week, Cassese said, where he was not sure even he had a job.
“It’s been an emotional day after an emotional week,” Cassese said.
Athletic Director Carla Williams said Wednesday she “can’t talk about personnel,” after being asked whether Tiffany was fired or not renewed. Tiffany’s contract was due to expire June 20.
Cassese, though, was talking to reporters after the press conference and fielded a question about Tiffany. He referenced a time “after the decision was made not to renew [Tiffany].”
Regardless of the decision, a coaching search was launched. Williams said she could not say who or how many candidates interviewed. But she was pleased with the decision and a coach she called “elite.”
“I know that these guys, our current team, our transfers, our future recruits, will run through a wall for him,” Williams said. “And that comes through clearly when you’re in his presence.”
Williams asked Dom Starsia, the four-time national champion head coach for Virginia with close ties to both Tiffany and Cassese, for input. Starsia recruited Cassese 24 years ago and has served as a mentor to him the last few years. Starsia’s response?
“If you want someone who’s going to work hard, who’s going to be disciplined, and you’re going to have a team that reflects those qualities, he’s your guy,” Starsia said.
Cassese got in the room and talked about his coaching style. His mom, he said, was a second grade teacher. His dad taught physical education. Relationships matter to him.
“Helping everyone to understand how important relationships are to me and my coaching style,” Cassese said. “It is how I lead. It is the way that I was taught.”
Connor Shellenberger, Class of 2024 alumnus who Cassese coached in his first season and coached alongside this season, stood in the back of the room. Cassese called him a “little brother.”
Goalie Kyle Morris and returning captain and graduate defender John Schroter were there, too. Smiling a lot. They stayed with the last of the stragglers, hugging Cassese.
Cassese has often led Virginia’s recruiting efforts. Junior midfielder Hudson Hausmann described earlier this year how, during his recruiting crisis, he and Cassese talked on the phone every week or two, for two or three hours at a time, not just about lacrosse, but about life.
At the end of Cassese’s opening statement, he directed a message to the players.
“I've coached you, I've watched you work, I've been with you through the blood, the sweat, and the tears, and I believe in you,” Cassese said. “My commitment to you is simple. I will give you everything I've got. I will pour it all into helping you succeed in competition and in life.”
Cassese’s offense dominated in his first year at Virginia. He inherited the most stacked unit in the country — Shellenberger and Payton Cormier, who broke the all-time Division I goals record that year. Cassese’s only job was to not let things fall apart.
His second year? “A complete disaster.”
“I did not do a great job,” Cassese said. “Tried to transition to a little bit more of what I would deem to be my offense, more of a motion style offense, and it did not go well, as the results would indicate.”
This year, Virginia returned an almost identical cast. Very similar, at the least. And the results? Much better.
Cassese will keep coaching the offense, though he knows he wants to hire an offensive and defensive coordinator, like he had when he coached at Lehigh. Cassese coached the faceoff men this season, and Virginia operated without a true goalie coach. Shellenberger has not made a decision on whether to return as an offensive assistant, Cassese said Wednesday.
Cassese has four core values, he said — passion, selflessness, discipline and toughness. That’s how he aims to lead his life every day, he said.
“He is highly respected in the profession, in the community, and in our department,” Williams said. “He is elite.”
Virginia will work on retaining players. None are in the transfer portal yet. Tuesday, Cassese hopped on a Zoom call with the team. Later he talked to the captains.
“We are going to compete for and win championships here, and we are going to do it the right way,” Cassese said. “Let's go to work.”
Read More
Through fire and fury, Virginia outlasts No. 9 Southern Miss in all-time marathon
By Xander Tilock | 21 hours ago“Our guys came out and really answered the bell,” Coach Chris Pollard said postgame.
Virginia embarrassed by Jacksonville State in 15-7 NCAA Tournament defeat
By Ryan Weiner | YesterdayHaving miserably failed their first trial of the tournament, the Cavaliers now turn their attention to Southern Miss, the No. 9 seed nationally, who just lost in a shocking upset to Little Rock. If they lose this next game, Virginia’s time in the NCAA Tournament will come to an end much earlier than predicted.
Kevin Cassese hired as Virginia men’s lacrosse head coach
By Adair Reid | 4 days agoCassese’s hire follows a May 18 announcement from Virginia Athletics that stated the program would begin a nationwide search for a new leader.
