This one’s for the defensive minds.

Former National Lacrosse League champion defender and current Georgia Swarm assistant coach Alex Crepinsek joins the podcast for a conversation about the modern box game — how it’s played, how it’s coached, and how teams are building identity behind the scenes.

Crepinsek talks about the transition from player to coach and how the Swarm have developed their fast, aggressive defensive style. He shares insight into the culture inside the organization, the influence of owner John Arlotta and his family-first philosophy, and how young players like Brett Dobson are growing within a veteran-driven locker room.

The conversation also digs into how technology is changing the game — from video review and challenges to the analytics and tools that are starting to shape coaching decisions and player development across the league.

And like any good lacrosse story, it goes back to junior. Crepinsek looks back at his days with the Burlington Chiefs and their historic Minto Cup win, and the coaches who helped push that group past expectations.

A conversation about defense, culture, preparation, and where the game is headed next.

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Maybe the youngest coach in the National Lacrosse League, Brett Hickey is the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Desert Dog and Raiders LC of the Rocky Mountain Junior League, bringing his own system-driven style and a fresh perspective to both teams.

Not far removed from his own playing career where he scored over 200 goals playing under some of the game’s best coaches.

In this episode, Hix takes us inside the evolution of the Vegas offense… how complementary pieces matter more than star power… and coaching players who see the game three steps ahead — like Jeff Teat, whose strategic mind has changed the way Brett coaches.

And yeah — we get into the “12 round fighter” mentality, the push toward the Minto Cup, and what happens when young players finally stop memorizing answers and start solving the game.

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Randy Mearns wiped his Instagram clean recently — a sure sign of rebirth.

Last summer, Mearns was let go as head coach of St. Bonaventure’s men’s lacrosse program — a team he helped build from scratch over nine years, just as it was gaining momentum and producing NLL talent year after year.

So what’s next?

Mearnsi Lacrosse and a new role with the Greek National Team chasing a spot at the 2028 LA Olympics in Sixes. And the same lifelong mission: developing better players, teammates, and humans.

From 17 seasons as head coach at Canisius to five Mann Cups as a player, a Minto Cup with St. Catharines, captaining an NLL champion Knighthawks team, and helping Team Canada win multiple world championship golds — Randy Mearns has done it all.

In Part Two of this conversation, we dream big about the future of NCAA lacrosse, NLL lacrosse and where Randy’s next steps may be.

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Guest @CoachMearns | @CoachMearns