FLN has asked new Head Coach Doug Shanahan of St. Brendan High School in Miami to share his thoughts on how he is building his new program through their inaugural season. Here is his seventh submission! We thank Doug for taking the time to do this and letting our readers experience this unique insight.    With a very busy week of games for our fledging program at hand, we are looking forward to more competition with 3 varsity games this week and 2 junior varsity games. Preparing two teams for games is a challenge in and of itself, and balancing our rosters with 36 players in the program is another challenge. The toughest part is having those conversations with players who feel they should be ‘playing up’ on varsity. Sometimes this is able to happen, but it is not a given. The smartest point we made with the boys is to always have a constant state of communication with them.  Preparing the boys to enter the real world or go off to college better prepared than we got them is a staple and primary goal of the program.  Mental maturity is a key aspect which many players at the high school level lack (asking ‘big boy’ questions, and getting ‘big boy’ answers!). The answers aren’t always what we want to hear but it is a necessity, as the program and the team have to be first. Both coaches and players have to sacrifice to make that happen. Commitment, commitment and commitment has been the topic of many post practice talks lately. Talking about the nature of balance between academics, athletics and school activities. Everyone has to make choices, there needs to be an understanding that choices always affect outcomes.  Trying to ingrain these ideas into players who didn’t know what lacrosse was 8 months ago has been our challenge. Sometimes we take for granted as coaches what we believe should be common knowledge, but isn’t.  In the end, although a little frustrating, it makes us think and makes us better coaches for it. We look forward to continued support for both teams as they play this week and for the rest of the season.