Richard Carrington wrapped up his first year with the VMI
Keydets lacrosse program in the fall of 2012 after joining the staff in 2011.
In his
first year on Post, Carrington helped to institute
a revamped Keydet defense that allowed the fewest goals in MAAC play since
2009. The defense was crucial in several games, holding opponents under 10
goals in three of the last four games, and helping VMI win those three games.
One of the defense’s shining moments of 2012 came in a 6-2 setback against
then-16th ranked Lehigh, which went on to a No. 7
ranking and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Carrington also directed the team’s man-down unit, which
killed off 70.8 percent of the Keydets penalties and finished the season ranked
19th in the country. The leap to 70.8 percent on the man-down was a 20-point
jump from last season, where VMI finished last in the country in that category.
Carrington
joined Anken's staff with an extensive coaching résumé. He most recently served
as the head men's lacrosse coach at NCAA Division III Alvernia University in
Reading, Pa. While at Alvernia, which competes in the Middle Atlantic
Conference, Carrington led the Crusaders to their lowest goals-against-average
in program history last season.
Prior
to his arrival in Reading, Carrington founded the men's lacrosse program at
Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pa. As the program's first head coach,
Carrington was responsible for recruiting the 37-member inaugural class
representing 10 different states and Canadian provinces.
Carrington
has also had assistant coaching stints at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C.
and Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. In 2008, Carrington helped Mars Hill to
the program's first Deep South Conference Championship. To his credit,
Carrington coached a much-improved defensive unit that allowed 10.29 goals per
game in 2008, down from 11.21 in the previous season. That defensive unit
produced three All-Conference selections and a participant in the prestigious
North-South All-Star Game.
Carrington
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mars Hill in 2003. As an undergraduate he
competed as a four-year defensive starter for the Lions and graduated as Mars
Hill's career ground ball leader (268).
Carrington
is no stranger to the Commonwealth. A native of Charlottesville, he spent two
seasons as the head boys' varsity lacrosse coach at Cape Henry Collegiate
School in Virginia Beach. During that time his team reached the 2007 Division I
State Quarterfinals.
"I
have known and tracked Coach Carrington's career since his time at Kenyon. He
is a great coach and educator and will provide an immediate impact to our
program," said Anken. "Coach Carrington brings a tremendous level of
knowledge and energy, but most importantly has been involved in the building
process of successful programs."
This
season Carrington transitions into the role of director of player development,
while continuing to work with the Keydets' defensive and man-down units. His
additional responsibilities will include recruiting, scouting, game planning as
well as organizing camps and coaching clinics.
Carrington,
who hails from nearby Charlottesville, Va., currently resides in Lexington.
