Lubs Takes Over as Defensive Coordinator

Many kids playing youth sports dream of growing up to play in the pros. But, few actually get the chance to do so. Imagine working up to that dream only to have it shattered by a potentially career-ending injury on the first day of practice.

Daniel Joseph (DJ) Lubs tore his ACL during his first practice with the Denver Outlaws in early spring 2016. Lubs has been playing lacrosse since sixth grade and was an All-Conference selection four times as well as an All-American Honorable Mention twice while playing collegiately with Florida Southern. In four years with the Moccasins, Lubs missed only one game so it could have been easy to dwell on the injury. However, Lubs has created an opportunity out of it instead.

For the 2017-2018 season, DJ Lubs will be the new defensive coordinator of the Michigan State University men’s lacrosse team. Lubs will be replacing Josh Kamstra who parted ways with the team following the 2017 season due to other work commitments. Head coach Cam Holding and Lubs played together at Florida Southern. With the departure of Kamstra, Holding reached out to Lubs, who was excited about the chance to join the Spartans coaching staff.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="323"] Lubs, center, playing club lacrosse.[/caption]

“It means a lot for a friend to reach out and hold me in high regard,” said Lubs. “MSU is a tight knit community and I’m looking forward to adding to the program and hopefully bringing back a national championship for the first time.”

Lubs will be in charge of a defense that returns all of its starters from last year. Even with three 2016 All-Americans and a squad that posted tops in the CCLA for goals against per game, Lubs is already focused on improvements.

“I pride myself on having players be tough from top to bottom,” Lubs said. “I love the dirty parts of the game like being a physically mean defense and winning every ground ball. Ground balls turn the tide every game.”

Off the field, Lubs is also looking forward to being a mentor to the players under him.

 “I’m really excited to get to know the guys and help them take the next step in their professional careers,” said Lubs. “Coaching for MSU gives me a chance to give back,” Lubs said.

Getting to know Coach Lubs on a lighter note, he loves Kung-Fu movies and is a “big-time breakfast guy.” He is also hoping nobody on the team this year challenges him in basketball because he says that he is a terrible hoops player.

Lubs’ first action as a Spartan will be next Tuesday on the first day of tryouts.

 

–Jess Todd