#029: Chaos - 2021 PLL Champions - Andy Towers

On August 11, the Chaos were given a 3.2% chance of winning the Premier Lacrosse League. They were the sixth seed going into the playoffs and were given no respect. Today, they are the 2021 PLL champions.

Head Coach Andy Towers joins host Fran Racioppi on the first follow-up episode of The Jedburgh Podcast proving that his goal to peak at the right time was achievable. 

Coach Towers explains how he focused the team to play the same style of game, how he valued chemistry over raw talent in personnel decisions, the resiliency the team showed after starting the season 0-3, and how the best players prepared relentlessly for precision execution. 

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website.

Highlights:

-The importance of creating a team culture in which every player is playing the same style and with the same goals.

-How chemistry was the critical component to success on the 2021 team; a value that led to difficult personnel decisions for some of the top-rated players.

-Coach Towers provides a detailed breakdown of the playoff run, the resiliency in the semifinal game after going down in the second quarter, and the tactics he used to keep the team focused on the big picture and playing their game. 

-Fran and Andy highlight the leadership and work ethic of some of the key players, including PLL MVP Blaze Riorden and Defenseman Jack Rowlett.

-Coach Towers evaluates his performance in the league after initially being deemed an alternate head coach and having gone on to win Coach of the Year, a PLL Championship and second place finish. 

Quotes:

-“The only opinions that matter are the opinions of the people in your locker room.”

-“Balance in all areas is something that you strive for.”

-“Finding that commonality, that binding element that creates a better group than they are a group of individuals “

-“A team that is connected can become dangerous very very quickly”

-“We were able to peak at the right time and prove that chemistry is the most important factor as it relates to winning the PLL championship.”

-“Responsibility is for the group. Accountability is for yourself.”

-“It’s easy to be team first when you are in the lineup…you find out who is truly, authentically in it for team success when you take them out of the lineup.”

-“Everything in our locker room is a conversation.”

-“Instead of us going into the locker and losing our minds, it was us going into the locker room and regaining our mind.”

-“Make them have to manage us…make them have to deal with us.”

-“The 2021 Chaos Lacrosse Club accomplished its goal…but we go into 2022 with the 2022 Chaos Lacrosse Club.”

Chaos Lacrosse Club Offseason Foundations to Success:

-Don’t forget the importance of remaining connected

-Next season is a new and unique opportunity

-Have fun and enjoy playing 

This episode is brought to you by 18A Fitness and Analytix Solutions.