New faces at the helms of big-school programs starved for success don’t shrink from challenge.
David La Vaque, Star Tribune08/28/17, 11:06PM CDT
That time is now for Derrin Lamker, as well as Lambert Brown at Wayzata and Tyler Krebs at Lakeville South, coaches bringing strong pedigrees to communities full of resources yet starved for success.
Brown, 36, built a reputation as a rising star in coaching with successful stints at Fridley and Chaska. Two years ago Krebs led Burnsville to its first state tournament appearance in two decades. Lamker, 42, took Osseo, near the bottom of school enrollment in Class 6A, to the top.
Brown and Lamker got a jump on their new roles last season, when Brown became Wayzata’s assistant head coach and Lamker served as Edina’s offensive coordinator. Krebs, 43, left Burnsville for Lakeville South, succeeding Larry Thompson, his former coach at Lakeville and winner of three state titles.
Challenges ahead
Each of these coaches landed an envious position. Some assembly is required, however.
Lakeville South went 1-8 last season and has just two playoff victories in the past five seasons. South opened in 2005, reached the state tournament its first two seasons, then got supplanted by rival Lakeville North as the dominant program in town. The Cougars’ last state appearance came in 2010.
Reason to believe
Success at previous stops provides each coach a winning formula.
Krebs rebuilt Burnsville’s program on three pillars: coaching staff stability, strength training and getting involved at the youth levels. He diagrammed, and executed, a five-year plan to turn the Blaze around. Success figures to come more quickly at Lakeville South.
“All three of those areas are stronger here,” Krebs said. “We think we can be competitive right away, and that’s our goal in Year 1. The issue is going to be, these kids haven’t won and so can they believe and can we execute?”
Success at South begins away from the field. Each practice is filmed, giving players the chance to accelerate their learning through video study. When it comes to building players’ bodies, Krebs once again turns to nationally acclaimed strength and conditioning coach Scott Sahli, who came over from Burnsville. Players already notice a difference.
“The main thing is more organization, more accountability,” said senior running back/linebacker Logan Gudmundson “Practices are more intense. We’re lifting five days a week during the season. They expect a lot more from us.”
Games this fall allow the coaches to measure growth against one another. Thursday’s season-opening slate of games includes Lakeville South at Edina. On Sept. 15, Wayzata travels to Edina.
Brown, Krebs and Lamker have capitalized on the excitement of a new season, filling impressionable young men with passion and pride. Keeping those feelings alive well into November for years to come is the coaches’ shared goal — and their communities’ expectations.
