By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/20/17
Matt Rambo was a legendary high school player, the first Philly man to earn the Tewaaraton Trophy, an NCAA champion and has been drafted by both the MLL and NLL.
Now he has a new challenge in lacrosse – as a high school assistant coach.
Matt Rambo (left), seen here after winning the National championship with Maryland, will join his mentor and first-year head coach Brian “Doc” Dougherty at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Photo by Rene Schleicher)
Rambo, the La Salle grad and 2013 Phillylacrosse.com Player of the Year who led Maryland to the NCAA championship this spring, has been named the Offensive Coordinator at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
Rambo will work under first-year head coach Brian Dougherty, also a former Maryland great and a mentor to him for years.
“Doc was a coach of mine for years. I was on one of the first PYLA teams,” said Rambo. “We always had a close relationship and with Doc being a Terp I talked to him in high school and college a lot.
“He has given me an opportunity I couldn’t let go. It’s a great school academically and athletically and Doc has a vision. I have the same vision; we want to take it farther and use the experiences we’ve had.”
Rambo credited his coaching experiences with the Duke’s LC in helping form his coaching style. He has coached youth and high school aged players for the Dukes, serving as an assistant for Dukes Elite and a head coach and assistant for Dukes Young Guns. Rambo also has done teaching sessions with Dukes Nationals and given many speeches.
“The Dukes have been great mentors to me and they’ve taught me how to coach the right way and not be a screamer,” Rambo said. “I like the 1 on 1 way. I know I learned best when someone talked to me 1 on 1 and that’s how I want to coach.”
Dougherty was thrilled to introduce Rambo.
“I am extremely happy to announce that Matt Rambo will be the new assistant coach at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy for the 2018 season,” said Dougherty. “Matt will be our offensive coordinator and in charge of raising the skill level in all of our players both in middle school and upper school.
“Matt’s achievements throughout his lacrosse career have already made him an icon in our sport and I am thrilled to have a man like him join our program and be around our players every day. Finally, Matt has been a winner at every stage of his lacrosse career and I am excited for him to bring that mentality to the SCH lacrosse fields every day.”
Rambo, besides winning the coveted Tewaaraton Award, was the third overall draft pick in the 2017 MLL Collegiate Draft and is now a player for the Charlotte Hounds. Last week he was taken by the New England Black Wolves in the 5th round of the NLL draft.
During his career at Maryland, Rambo scored 155 goals and gained 257 points, both school records. Additionally, Rambo was the 2017 Enners Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Player), two-time USILA All-American (2017, 2016), 2017 First Team All-America (USILA, Inside Lacrosse), three-time NCAA All-Tournament Team (2017, 2016, 2015), 2017 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the 2017 First Team All-Big Ten (Unanimous).
Rambo led the Terrapins to their first National championship since 1975 when they toppled Ohio State, 9-6, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, on Memorial Day. Rambo earned all-tournament honors.
Rambo was the Phillylacrosse.com Player of the Year in 2013 when he led La Salle to the PIAA championship.
“I think, just from being around coach (John) Tillman and the Maryland staff for so long, I got to see their philosophies,” Rambo said. “Their staff is one of the best in the country. He (Tillman) is invested in his team and the players and he is not a screamer. I learned so much from being in that program. I just think it will help me when coaching younger players. My experiences at La Salle and Abington also will help.”
What are his goals as a high school coach?
“I think every school has the same goals when it comes to winning,” Rambo said. “But I would like to see our young kids grow and I want to encourage them to be better people. I would love t see them get to the next level and play in college. I mean I want to win – I am one of the most competitive persons around. But I want to see them do more and take it to the college level.