Notre Dame men’s lacrosse defensive coordinator Ryan Wellner took a few minutes with ND-Atl 2.o to answer some questions about life on campus and the upcoming season. We are excited and grateful that he found the time to help us ramp up our 18 Stripes lacrosse coverage for the 2020 season!
The Data
Coach Wellner was hired as the team’s defensive coordinator and director of recruiting this past summer, stepping into the role held for many years by the “Minister of Defense” Gerry Byrne (now the head coach at Harvard). Coach Wellner is one of the most accomplished defensive coaches in lacrosse. He was the defensive coordinator for eight years at Navy, where his defenses averaged giving up fewer than 9 goals/game in four seasons, including an absurd 7.38 goals/game in 2016, which more than a half-goal better than the standard set by the Notre Dame (un)Holy Trinity of Landis-Epple-Glazener that year.
His teams have also excelled at other critical parts of the game. Last year, his Navy team held opponents to a .797 clearing percentage!! Coach’s defensive style will likely appear more aggressive than the style we have loved these past years. His Navy teams average absurd amounts of caused turnovers (10/game in 2013!). Throughout his career, including coaching at Stony Brook, Stevens Institute of Technology, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Long Island powerhouse Chaminade High School, his players have also excelled at face-off X. These are all great examples of why Coach Wellner has an excellent reputation for defense! We’re glad he’s on campus to carry on the Notre Dame tradition of defense.
A Few Words With Coach
Followers of Coach Wellner’s twitter account, @RyanWellner, know Coach seems to be adjusting well and enjoying his time in South Bend, and that he is embracing the Notre Dame community. We wanted to know what it was like to come to northern Indiana after so many years in Annapolis and on Long Island (and some lacrosse stuff, too!). Here’s what he had to say to 18 Stripes:
- Coach Wellner, now that you have had a few months on campus, have you found a favorite spot you think visitors to Notre Dame should know about (other than Arlotta Stadium!)?
There are so many spots on campus that I would recommend to any visitor. I find myself daily walking past Touchdown Jesus and thinking “WOW, I am so darn lucky!”. The Grotto has become my go to spot when I need a peaceful, quiet moment and to reflect. My family and I have made Sunday Mass in the Basilica a must and the sense of community here at Notre Dame is second to none.
- Do you and your family have a favorite place to eat in South Bend yet?
NOT YET! We are trying so hard to experience all that South Bend has to offer. We were rather spoiled in Annapolis with great spots to eat but I have been quite impressed with the variety and quality of the restaurants here. The breakfast spot at the South Bend Farmers Market is VERY GOOD! You will have to check back with me because I know that Coach Corrigan and our Director of Operations, Rob Simpson are food aficionados and will not steer my family and I in the wrong direction.
- Is there a change to the defense we should all look out for this season as compared to previous ones?
Great question Luke! But I would hate to ruin it for you and the readers, you are just going to have to come out and watch us play! I will make you a promise- this will be a fun, physical and exciting brand of defense. Having the athletes and depth that Notre Dame has (all the credit to Coach Corrigan and his previous staff members) allows us to play a very simple but effective defensive style. Being able to add some of my beliefs and philosophies to what Coach Corrigan wants from his defense and his program overall has been fun. I think some of these tweaks and turns will be noticeable and I hope the Fighting Irish fans will enjoy them. [NOTE: stay tuned for our 18 Stripes preseason notes! Our followers who attended the scrimmages confirm Coach Wellner is not kidding when he says it is a “fun, physical and exciting brand of defense.”]
- Every ACC team is ranked in the top 15. What challenges are you excited about against competition this good?
To be able to coach in what is arguably the best conference in College Lacrosse is exciting. The ACC has some of the best players and coaches in our sport and I look forward to that challenge. Every week will be different and this conference has a dog eat dog mentality. No matter what the result is on any given Saturday, we need to be ready to show up, prepared, for our next opponent because that is the biggest game of the year. That’s the challenge I am most looking forward too. Having the chance to compete against the best every week is going to be awesome.
- If there is one thing you would encourage my middle school defensive teammates to focus on this spring, what would it be?
First off, HAVE FUN! Do not over think things, it’s a simple game that we, at times, allow to become very complex. Trust yourself and your teammates to do their job (on ball/off ball) and you guys will be very effective. Keep it simple, you do not need to make the great play, just the play in front of you. I always tell defensemen to try and hit singles, if everyone hits a single we will be in a good spot, and yes that’s a baseball term, guilty as charged!
Thank you, Coach Wellner, for taking the time to chat with us! We look forward to the 2020 lacrosse season and hope you and your family continue to enjoy Notre Dame!
#GoIrish
