When the Toronto Rock took to the floor of the Air Canada Centre for their Jan. 3 home opener against the Calgary Roughnecks, Elora’s John Lovell was at the helm.
It was a day he didn’t see coming.
“I didn’t aspire to be a head coach in the NLL (National Lacrosse League),” Lovell said, noting he’d been a part of the Rock organization for four years as an assistant coach.
But after the six-time championship team ended its 2013 season with a hard loss, the changes were swift.
“We were a first place team that went out in the playoffs in the first round,” Lovell said. “The owners and general managers were disappointed.”
Lovell was promoted to head coach after Rock management fired head coach Troy Cordingley, which was admittedly a difficult time for Lovell after years of sharing the bench with his friend and colleague.
Looking to the new season, Rock general manager Terry Sanderson remains confident.
“John’s good at what he does. We go back a long way and I have a lot of confidence in him,” Sanderson said, adding Lovell has more than 30 years of lacrosse and hockey coaching experience.
Lovell insists his approach will be subtle, given the past success of the franchise.
“How do you improve on that?” he said. “To some extent there isn’t a lot of change … The way I approach things will be a slight change, little subtle things. The players will be held more accountable for the things they do.”
Creating a professional atmosphere is key, and to ensure that Lovell has recruited a solid leadership team.
“I think the biggest thing is that I have two new assistant coaches, with two new voices from the defensive and offensive side,” Lovell said of Toronto Rock alumni and first-time NLL coaches Blaine Manning and Dan Ladouceur.
Returning to the bench are assistant coaches Matt Sawyer (video) and Pat Campbell, (goaltending).
“It’s up to John Lovell what he wants to do with [the team],” Sanderson said.
“I think he’s a good coach because he’s a player’s coach, first and foremost. He’s very loyal to his players and all he expects is that you put in a good effort.”
Rock defenceman and Arthur native Rob Marshall echoed Sanderson’s remarks.
“You’ll always have coach Lovell’s respect if you give it 100 per cent,” Marshall said. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s been in this game a long time.”
Lovell’s coaching philosophy is straightforward.
“Anybody that’s ever played for me knows I go by the three F’s: I’m firm, I’m fair and I like to have fun. The key is to find balance between these three things … And I think that’s what I’ve got to do.”
Marshall insists that is one of Lovell’s best attributes.
“He’s a very passionate coach. He wears his heart on his sleeve,” Marshall said. “He’s one of the best motivational speakers I’ve ever heard.”
This year fellow local players Jesse Gamble of Rockwood, Kasey Beirnes of Elora and Craig England of Fergus will join Marshall in the lineup.
Marshall credits Lovell with launching his NLL career.
“Lovell coached me with the Elora Mohawks and the Aces. We won a President’s Cup together. He got me a try-out with the Rock,” Marshall said. “If it wasn’t for him I don’t know whether I’d be playing in the league in Toronto.”
It’s veterans like Marshall that Lovell believes will guide the team this year. He also points to captain Colin Doyle and players like Josh Sanderson.
“They are two of the best that have ever played and I’m so lucky to have them. They are still on top of their game but the reality is they are 37 years old. They need to be supported.”
He adds, “The reality of it is, they can still play well and they have to play well. Nobody is good enough to replace them.”
Lovell’s vision for building the team is clear: veterans provide leadership, but looking ahead, the team needs young players.
“The strength of the Toronto Rock is the people,” Lovell said. “Character and work ethic are two of our strengths, and anybody who wants to replace one of our veterans has to have that; that’s a fact.”
Referring to players like Marshall, Beirnes, Doyle and Sanderson, his respect for players is obvious.
“The good guys push themselves to do better,” Lovell said. “They just lead by example. They have outstanding courage, they aren’t afraid to do the difficult things. There is a price to pay to be good, and our guys have it.”
Part of that character comes from Beirnes and Marshall, who earned Lovell’s respect by their commitment to their hometown teams.
“They stayed here and played here and took pride in the Mohawks,” he said, noting they have both gone on to win Mann Cups and had careers in the NLL. “They are now star players in the league and they’ve had to overcome that small town stigma.”
Young players like England add to the energy of the team.
“He’s got everybody’s attention right now,” Lovell said.
Lovell understands as head coach, his role is to bring out the best in his players.
“One of the keys is to make people feel good about what they’re doing,” he said. “I need to make a better player and then I’ll be a better coach.”
Of course, the coach’s biggest fan is wife Mary Jo, and Lovell attributes much of his success to her support.
“It’s a big part of me and where I am right now,” Lovell said. “Her support and the fact that she enjoys it makes a big difference to me.”
With great expectations for the new year and three new coaches behind the bench, Lovell is not unrealistic about the work ahead, but he is optimistic about the 2014 season.
“I know I’ll work hard at it and I’ll do my best job,” Lovell said.
“I’ll know way before anyone else if I’ve done a good job. I answer to the biggest critic I know: that’s me.”
For more information visit www.torontorock.com.
