John Odierna: Embracing Change at Fairfield & Obsessing Over the Details

Deemer Class and Matt Dunn welcome John Odierna, newly appointed (June 18, 2026) head coach of Fairfield men’s lacrosse, formerly Syracuse’s defensive coordinator after back-to-back Final Four runs, with prior stints at Manhattan, Stevens, and Colby. Odierna describes a whirlwind summer of a lengthy interview process, rapid onboarding, recruiting and scheduling demands, concurrent staff searches, and becoming a father to son Brooks. He recounts starting lacrosse late after his father’s death, switching to defense, developing at Gettysburg, and learning coaching through multiple programs and mentors. The conversation emphasizes player-led culture, consistent standards, and Fairfield’s notable zero transfers after the coaching change. Odierna outlines staff-building priorities—connection and communication—and his CEO-style head coaching role. He also discusses man-down “Junkyard Dogs,” defensive fundamentals (approaches, trailing, communication), multi-sport benefits, and recruiting advice on avoiding comparisons and communicating appropriately.

Chapters
0:00 - New Baby, New Job
7:00 - Lacrosse Journey
35:00 - Taking Over At Fairfield
50:30 - Defensive Talk
1:05:00 - Multi-Sport Athletes
1:12:30 - Practical Advice