FLN Senior Writer Lee Roggenburg was able to catch up with new Saint Andrew’s Head Coach Tony Seaman as he was boarding a flight to Boston for the Denver Outlaws game tomorrow. Coach Seaman indicated to me that he had heard about the opening and sent word to Headmaster Peter Benedict indicating his interest and that the process was fairly quick from start to finish. Coach Seaman mentioned how attractive the position is as he had great respect for both the academic reputation as well as the lacrosse reputation of the school and that coaches all around the country are impressed with how the sport of lacrosse is growing down here.  It’s interesting to hear that from someone who is so well known and respected in lacrosse circles and confirms what many of us down here have been thinking about for the past few years. He will retain his current post as General Manager for the Denver Outlaws for this season and will reassess after the season; he jokingly mentioned that if they didn’t win the championship this year they might run him out anyhow but given they went undefeated in the regular season and won the regular season the year before that I doubt they will be looking in that direction. I asked him if he intended, given his length of service to the sport, if he would be intending to groom a long-term replacement a few years down the line and he reminded me that there are 7 current college head coaches who were assistants under him so that he goes into every coaching position thinking about that.  There are 2 assistant coaches he has in mind to help round out his staff but since they have not signed contracts it would be premature to discuss his staff.  When I asked about the status of R.J. Dawson, Coach Seaman responded that he would still be on the staff. I then asked him about the difference in coaching high school and the other levels, particularly since he’s been away from the high school game for quite awhile and he discussed with me that high school is the most difficult of the levels to coach, since the coach has to adjust to what he has to work with as opposed to recruiting to fill holes and play a system that might not make the best use of the players.  Developing the talent is more important at this level and that is a good part of winning at the high school level. Coach Seaman also indicated that he would be able to open doors to academic opportunities for the players given his many connections and reputation throughout the lacrosse community.   I thank Coach Seaman for his time and look forward to seeing how he puts his stamp on the Saint Andrew’s program.  I was also able to reach Coach Seaman’s long-time friend and coaching colleague Dave Cottle, currently the Head Coach of Chesapeake in the MLL and he said the following about the hire: “The man who deserves the credit is Peter Benedict, the Headmaster at Saint Andrew’s.  He has a vision for his school and his athletic programs that he wants to surround his students and his athletes with the best teachers and coaches in the country.  He certainly did this with this hire.”