Experienced, passionate, driven leader.
Introduction
My name is Frank Paul Mita (Paul) and I am applying for the Head Coach position for the Arcadia Men’s Lacrosse team. My overall coaching and playing experience across Conestoga High School, Villanova University, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Cabrini University, and Dickinson College make me an ideal candidate for this opportunity.
I spent the last year as the first assistant and offensive coordinator at Dickinson College. Under the tutelage of Coach Webster who has 29 years of coaching experience and has developed many highly successful head coaches, I have learned a tremendous amount about how to build team culture and develop a program. I have been involved in all aspects of team strategy with full control over the offense. I was also responsible for recruiting focused student athletes by evaluating and contacting recruits as well as managing on campus tours and prospect camps.
2019 Division III Champion
Prior to Dickinson, I spent 3 years as an assistant lacrosse coach at Cabrini University while achieving my Master’s in Secondary Education. During my 3 years at Cabrini University I created every scouting report and film review for the offense and worked with the goalies and offensive players in skill development. I worked in conjunction with our part-time offensive coordinator to develop offensive system and play design. I have ample recruiting experience, including five summers of evaluation experience, and I have strong club ties within the Philadelphia area. In particular, I have worked closely with the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, and I’m a program director for their feeder program, Duke’s Mainline Lacrosse Club.
I am in the constant pursuit of knowledge and self-betterment and want to become the best leader and mentor that I can. My goal is to help young men mature into adults and realize their full potential on and off the field. I will inspire a culture of hard work and success with all of the players that I coach. Enclosed in this application you will find a copy of my resume. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
2019 IMLCA Convention Speaker
Mission & Vision
Mission Statement
- Build the best program in the country
Vision Statement
- Graduate in 4 years with a job or acceptance into a Graduate Program
Win the MAC Freedom Conference
Win the National Championship
Rules For Success
- Recruit focused, competitive and skilled student-athletes
- Develop a style of play that allows our athletes to be assertive and flourish
- Commit to a 12-month approach of conditioning and fitness
- Practice like a Champion
- Play the best competition
- Believe in each other and in our Mission
- Have fun!
Recruiting
Men of Character
- Respect
Service
Responsibility
Focused Student-Athletes
Committed to Realizing Full Potential
- Classroom
- Field
- Person
Goal Oriented
- Long Term: Career & Post College
- Short Term: Season & Semester
Competitive Individuals
- Passionate about excellence
- Excited about challenges
- Willingness to work hard
Skilled Players (4 S's)
- Speed
- Stickwork
- Strength
- Stamina
Recruiting Process
Evaluations
Time Frame
- Early in Process: Put as many talented players into Front Rush as possible
- Beginning of Recruiting Class: Get as many players on campus as possible
-
End of Process: Finish evaluations & garner commitments
Fall of Senior year
- Late in Process: Fill in possible late additions
Types
Club Tournaments
High School Games
Prospect Days
- Summer: Volume, get as many players on campus as possible
- Fall/Winter: Targeted, get top recruits for second visit and quality
Communication
Drip Campaign
- Monthly Emails
Texts
- Monthly to top recruits
- Personalized
- Action Item: Get them to agree to speak with you
Phone Calls
- 30-45 min
- Learn about academic interest, what they value in a school, competitors, financials, etc.
- Set up on campus visit
- Action Item: Get them to fill out Front Rush questionnaire
Visit
- Campus Tour
- Walk through Athletic Facilities
- Sit down conversation with Parents & Recruit:
-
- Gather information
- Decide if the recruit will buy into your culture
- Discuss admissions process
- Monthly Emails
Follow-ups
- Get the recruit in contact with admissions/read academic info
- Follow up texts
- Connect them with alumni and current players
- Zoom presentations
- Prospect Days
- Go to their high school and club games
- Action Item: GET COMMITMENT!
Continue Recruiting After Visit
- Watch them play
- Connect them with other committed recruits
- Speak with them every 2 weeks
- Overnight visit
- Deposited Early Decision I
Retention
Invest in your players
Open Door Policy
- Willingness to talk with players about life issues
Navigating Internship & Job search
Freshman Year
- Meet with Career Services and plan the next four years
Sophomore & Junior Year:
- Resume reviewed by Career Services before season starts
- Internship Applications
- Networking and connecting with Alumni
- LinkedIn connections and Alumni groups
Senior Year
- Networking trip to Philadelphia
- Meet with Alumni at various companies
- Networking dinner with Alumni
Academic Accountability
- Establish academic goals with all players
- Study hall and weekly academic check-ins
- Mandatory for all freshmen and any upperclassmen who do not meet established academic standards
Culture
Personal Responsibility
- Each player is responsible for knowing the academic and social responsibility policies of the University and following all NCAA rules and policies.
- If there are any problems with player relationships – internally or externally – that may be harmful, you will discuss them with the coaching staff immediately.
- If you are not of legal drinking age – do not consume alcohol. Absolutely no fake IDs.
- No alcohol 24 hours prior to any lacrosse commitment.
- No fighting. Any altercation involving men’s lacrosse must be reported to coaching staff.
- The use of any illegal substances is prohibited
- Any team violation of rules will be documented.
- Call Coach Mita or member of the staff if you have an issue.
Academics
- Academic responsibilities are your first priority. Sit up front, hat off, and get to know your professor. Be on time.
- Prior to the beginning of the season, in conjunction with Academic Support, notify your professors of any absences that will occur during the semester as a result of away games.
- Class attendance is the minimum and will be monitored by the coaching staff. Unexcused absences will result in disciplinary action initiated by the coaching staff.
- Study hall hours are determined by class, semester & cumulative GPA.
- In conjunction with Academic Support, you will exhaust every option to create a class schedule that is in your best interest, but allows you to be at every team function. Any conflicts must be brought to Coach Mita’s attention.
- Our Academic Advisor is a member of the Coaching Staff – he/she will be treated as such.
Facilities & Practice
- Being on time is non-negotiable.
- If unable to attend practice, Coach Mita & the Athletic Trainer must be notified immediately.
- Assisting our Athletic Trainer with water, taping tables, etc., is required.
- The field and weight room need to be set-up & broken down – assisting in that process is mandatory.
- They are shared spaces – we will leave the space better than we found it.
Experience
Conestoga High School
- 2009 PIAA State Runner Up
- 2009 PIAA District 1 & Central League Champs
- 2009 US Lacrosse National Rankings #15
Villanova University
- 2013 Big East Regular Season Champions
- 2012 Season Results: Ranked 21st
- 2011 Season Results: Ranked 11th
- 2010 Season Results: Ranked 19th
Coaching Career
St. Joseph's Preparatory School
- 2015 PIAA State Runner Up
- 2015 District 12 & Philadelphia Catholic League Champs
Duke's Lacrosse Club
- Premier Philadelphia area Club Lacrosse Organization
- Countless Division I, II, III Recruits
- Part Owner of Duke’s Main Line Lacrosse Club – Feeder Program
Cabrini University
- 2019 National Champions, AEC Champions, Season Results: Final National Ranking #1
- 2018 CSAC Champions, Season Results: Ranked #8
- 2017 CSAC Chamions, Season Results: Ranked #9
Dickinson College
- 2020 Offensive Coordinator – Season suspended due to COVID
Arcadia University
- Head Coach - 2021 to 2025
Resume
