Princeton's Raymond Named Hobart's New Head Coach

They say that you should release bad news late on a Friday afternoon. Hobart did that last week. To the press release!

Hobart and William Smith Colleges announced today that Greg Raymond, the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Princeton University, has been hired as head coach of the Hobart lacrosse team.

"After a comprehensive national search, it was clear that Coach Raymond possesses a passion for the game, an ability to connect with and motivate student-athletes, and an understanding and respect for the tradition of Hobart lacrosse," says Hobart and William Smith President Mark D. Gearan. "Just as importantly, he clearly comprehends the importance of academics in the lives of our student-athletes, an understanding that will enable him to have great success with the program."

In four years at Princeton, Raymond's defense has ranked first or second in the Ivy League three times and twice led the conference in man-down defense. Princeton won the Ivy League and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament in 2010 and 2012. The Tigers achieved their highest national statistical ranking in 2012, climbing to No. 6 in scoring defense, allowing just 7.25 goals per game, and No. 2 in man-down defense, killing off 85 percent of the opposition's man-up opportunities.

"It became apparent through the interview process that in addition to having the tools necessary to teach the game, he is also able to clearly articulate the value of a Hobart education to the highest caliber of student-athlete," says Vice President for Student Affairs Robb Flowers. "He is a great communicator who will build lasting relationships with our students and passionate fan base."

Raymond will be the 19th man to lead the Hobart lacrosse program when the Statesmen step on the field in 2014.

That's right: I didn't get the Hobart job. This is a terrible development. By my count over the last two years, I've been passed over for the head coaching jobs at Hobart, Manhattan, Lafayette, Providence, Mercer, and Georgetown. What does a totally unqualified and possibly institutionally dangerous person have to do to get a job that he doesn't deserve? I thought this was America, you guys. This country is headed down the drain.

Raymond's bona fides -- unlike mine (which involve never holding up an ice cream truck with a disguised Wii gun) -- are strong: An assistant under Bill Tierney (at Princeton) and Chris Bates (at Drexel and Princeton), Raymond has built a resume under some of the stronger minds in the game. His responsibilities have steadily grown since starting as an assistant under Tierney in 2006, and he has the potential to continue Hobart's recent renaissance. With the Statesmen's conference affiliation set, Raymond now turns his attention to recruiting and assembling a staff.

The strength of a hire is almost a prospective determination, but it appears as if Hobart did its due diligence with Raymond and had a wide net cast to find its next Director of Opponent Annihilation (Lacrosse Division):

Lacrosse Magazine details more of Hobart's hiring process in an interview conducted with Raymond after his hire:

What was the process like?

The[y] did a very thorough job, figuring out who I was, my vision as a leader, things I've been through as a coach, what kind of angle I would take for recruiting, and the academic side of things.

They just wanted to know who I was and whether or not I was the right person for the job.

It was a long day. I met a lot of people, had a lot of questions, but I really learned a lot about the environment that Hobart and William Smith provides and what they want to be as a program going forward. I came home from Geneva just thinking about it being a great place. I love the people on the committee, they made me feel at home.

I'm just privileged and flattered, for them to tell me that I'm a great fit for that program, it's something I'm very honored to be able to say.

Raymond inherits a team that went 6-8 last season but has steadily improved over the last few seasons after a horrific 3-11 campaign in 2010. With the likes of Alex Love, Cam Stone, and Peter Zonino returning in 2014, Raymond should have a nice core to work with next year in his first tour of duty in Geneva.