OSLC is proud to have a number of coaches who are experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated to making each player's experience in our programs worthwhile.
Jeff Popham, Director and Coach
Coach Popham has been a driving force in growth of lacrosse in Rhode Island. Jeff served as President of the Rhode Island Lacrosse Association (RILAX) from 2000-2003 and during that time managed a 350% increase in the number of youth playing lacrosse. He also initiated and co-directed the first four annual RILAX Ocean State Lacrosse Classics (2003-2006) and the first two annual RILAX Awards Banquets (2004-2005). Since 1998, he has served as a Director and Coach in the East Bay Youth Lacrosse organizations. For the past eight summers, he has coached U-13, U-15, and high school All-Star Travel teams and worked at numerous clinics and camps. In 2005, he founded the East Bay Indoor Lacrosse League, which provides off-season training and playing opportunities for the region’s youth and high school players. In 2006, he founded the Ocean State Lacrosse Club to field competitive travel teams for high school players interested in playing in college recruiting tournaments. Jeff played midfield for Washington College (1978-79) and club ball for the Eastern Shore LC (1976-77), McGarvey's LC (1980), Narragansett LC (1983-84), Newport LC (1985-86). After a hiatus to raise four young children with his wife Mary, he resumed playing Masters & Grand Masters lacrosse at Lake Placid and Ocean State Classic with the Stars (2002), Rhode Warriors (2003-2005), Eagles (2006), and the Rhode Wrecks (2005-2007). Jeff's coaching style is influenced by his high school coaches at Severn School, Craig Hubbard & Kurt Kimball, as well as his coaches at WC, Mickey DiMaggio & Bryan Matthews, all of whom he learned great deal about lacrosse and life from.
Other highlights include:
2006-2009 Program Director & Coach Ocean State Summer/Fall Travel teams 2009- Head Coach, East Bay Lady Eagles 7th- 8th grade team 2008- Head Coach, East Bay Lady Eagles U-13 team 2008- Asst. Coach, Portsmouth Abbey Varsity Girls team 2005-2007- Boys Program Director, East Bay Bristol County Lacrosse Association & Head Coach of Seahawks U-15 team, U-13 & U-15 teams 2005- Head Coach of Rhode Island Gold U-15 All-Star Summer Travel Team 2005- Assisted Portsmouth Abbey Boys Varsity team (SENE Division I Champions) 2001-2002, 2004- Assistant Coach of Rhode Island U-13 All-Star Summer Travel Teams 2002- Co-Director of the Rhode Island Indoor Lacrosse League, in honor of the late Scott Shemenski 2000-2003- Co-Founder and President, Rhode Island Lacrosse Association (RILAX) 1998-2004- Co-Director, East Bay Youth Lacrosse, Newport, RI & Head Coach of Numerous East Bay U-11, U-13, & U-15 teams 1986-1990- Referee, New England and Rhode Island Lacrosse Officials Association 1984-1985- Head Coach, Bryant University Men’s Club Lacrosse Team, Smithfield, RI 1982- Head Coach, New Canaan Jr. High School 7th-8th Grade Team, New Canaan, CT
Jeff and his wife, Mary, reside in Bristol, RI with their sons Jay & Michael, and daughters Grace and Sarah.
Coach Kelly is entering his 8th year of coaching at Roger Williams in 2008-2009. Kelly has led the team to an overall record of 63-51-1 (.547) during his tenure, including a regular season conference record of 40-16 (.714). Three of his teams have appeared in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament Finals and have been selected to participate in the New England ECAC Tournament. Kelly has coached 26 All-Commonwealth Coast Conference players, 1 Commonwealth Coast Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete, 2 All-New England honorees and 1 All-ECAC selection. 3 of his players have been selected to participate in the New England East/West Senior All-Star Game. Kelly was also selected 2002 Commonwealth Coast Conference "Coach of the Year" after finishing his first season with a 12-4 record; he received the award again in 2007.
A native of South Salem, New York, Kelly is a 1988 graduate of John Jay High School. Kelly went on to receive a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Nazareth College in 1992 and later to earn an M.S. degree in Sports Administration from Georgia State University in 1998.
During Kelly's playing days, he was a two-time High School All-American at John Jay High School before going on to serve as a captain for Nazareth College’s first National Championship team in 1992. Kelly was selected NCAA Division III All-America after the 1990, 1991 and 1992 seasons and was chosen as the 1992 recipient of the Lt. Col. J.I. (Jack) Turnbull Award that is given annually to the Outstanding Attackman in Division III. Kelly still ranks among the top all-time in goals scored, assists and total points at Nazareth. Kelly was inducted into the Nazareth College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 and the US Lacrosse Hudson Valley Chapter Hall of Fame in 2002.
In addition to his coaching role at Roger Williams, Kelly also serves as Intramurals and Recreation Coordinator in the Department of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation.
Marty and his wife Wynter reside in East Providence, Rhode Island along with their four daughters Molly, Maeve, Meara and Madelyn.
Tim Ryan, Boys' Coach, Ocean State Summer, Fall, & Winter programs
Tim is Asst. Lacrosse Coach & Head Soccer Coach at Prout School (3 time defending D-2 RI State Lacrosse Champs). He will also be coaching the Ocean State Warrior Travel teams for the 3rd summer. Tim was a 4 year starter at Salve Regina (1999-2003) and was team captain & 1st team Conference in 2003. He was an asst. coach at Salve in 2004. Coach Coach Ryan is a Barrington, RI native who appreciates the growth of high school lacrosse since his playing days at Providence Country Day (1996-1998). He resides in Newport.
Rory Whipple- Field Director of Ocean State Lacrosse Camp
Rory Whipple, who has successfully built men’s lacrosse programs at three other colleges, has been hired to do the same thing at Florida Southern College. Hired last spring by then-FSC Athletics Director Lois Webb, Whipple is the head coach for the Moccasins’ program that starts competition this school year.
Whipple officially began his duties at Florida Southern on June 1, 2008 after coaching last season at Vero Beach High School. He has an overall collegiate coaching record of 220-159 in 26 seasons as a head coach.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to come to Florida Southern and start the men’s lacrosse program," Whipple said at the time of his hiring. "I am confident I can build a highly competitive Division II program that someday will compete for a national championship. With my coaching experience in Florida, as well as my past experience in building and coaching successful lacrosse programs, I’m confident I’ll be able to attract recruits from all over the country to play at Florida Southern. My goal is to recruit students of strong character who are committed to the classroom as well as the playing field and who will contribute to the Florida Southern community. I'm excited about getting back into coaching at the college level and welcome this great opportunity and challenge."
Whipple was men’s lacrosse coach at Bryant University (R.I.) for seven seasons, starting the program in 2000 and producing a 75-39 record during that time. Fifteen Bryant players earned All-America honors during his tenure. After posting a 7-7 record in its inaugural season, Bryant went on to enjoy six straight winning seasons under Whipple’s direction. His teams were nationally ranked in Division II each of his seven seasons there.
Before going to Bryant, Whipple was the men’s lacrosse coach at Hartwick College (N.Y.) for 12 years. He took over that program in 1987 and became the most successful coach in the program’s history, producing 10 straight winning seasons and an overall record of 114-65. He took Hartwick to its first NCAA tournament berth in 1995.
Prior to taking over the Hartwick program, Whipple coached the Clarkson University (N.Y.) men’s lacrosse team for seven seasons, setting the school record for wins with a 10-5 record in 1986. At the same time, he also was the head wrestling coach at Clarkson.
Whipple also has had extensive international lacrosse experience. In 1993 he traveled to Japan with a group from the U.S. to work development programs in that country. In 1994 he was named head coach of the Iroquois National Team and led the squad to a fifth-place finish at the World Lacrosse Championships in England. He also coached the team at the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver that year.
He returned to Japan in 1996 as a coach of the Iroquois National Team for the Under-19 World Championships. In 1999 he coached the Under-19 Iroquois Junior National Team to a bronze medal in the World Games in Australia. In 2002, he was an assistant coach for the Iroquois National Team that placed fourth in the 2002 World Championship in Australia.
A 1976 graduate of Cortland State (N.Y.), Whipple played on the Cortland State 1975 NCAA Division II championship lacrosse team. He also earned All-America honors in wrestling at Cortland State and twice was named the team’s most valuable wrestler.
He and his wife, Judy, have one daughter, Kristie, and two sons, Max and Conor.
Andrew Whipple- Attack Coach of Ocean State Lacrosse Camp
Coach Whipple is Rory's nephew and is head lacrosse coach at Pittsford High School in Rochester, NY…Andrew was 3 time All-American at Maryland (1995-1998) & played on the team that lost to Princeton in the 1998 D-1 Final. He was recognized in 2007 for his dedication & service to Pittsford Lacrosse and he coached the championship teams at the 2008 & 2009 adidas National Lacrosse Classic. Coach Whipple is a veteran camp coach with a great work ethic.
Other Coaches include:
Ted Broomhead- Coach of East Bay YL teams. Ted coaches our youth girls in our fall and winter indoor programs.
Dave Brown- Coach of NESLL teams & Portsmouth IYL teams. Dave coaches youth boys in our winter indoor program.
Rob Hollis- Former Coach at Moses Brown and Providence Country Day. Rob coaches youth boys in our fall and winter indoor programs.
Meg Miller- Asst. Coach for Brown Women's Lacrosse. Meg coached our winter high school girls' and PreSeason Dodge & Shoot programs.
Matt Nunes- Co founder of Metacomet Select lacrosse & Coach of Portsmouth IYL teams. Matt coaches the girls in our fall and winter indoor programs.
Lee Parker- Former Girls Coach of 2008 D-II Champion Mount Hope High School. Lee coaches the girls in our fall and winter indoor programs.
Andy Soutter- Coach of Barrington Middle School team and Metacomets/Riptides team. Andy coaches our youth girls in our fall and winter indoor programs.
Mike Williams- Asst. Coach of 2009 D-II Champion Mount Hope High School. Mike is a coach for our Warriors summer travel teams.
Special Guest Coaches who have imparted their expertise and love of the game to our programs:
Mark Chafee- Head Coach, Narragansett High School
Dennis Dobbyn- Goalie Coach, Roger Williams University Men's Lacrosse
Andrew Fink- Head Coach, Mount Ida College. Andrew Fink- Head Coach, Mount Ida College. Andrew works our defensenmen at our annual summer camp.
Emily Kiablick- Head Coach, Wheaton College
Peter Schmitz- One of the founding fathers of Rhode Island Lacrosse. Founded East Bay Youth Lacrosse and Metacomet Select Lacrosse Club & coached numerous youth teams and high school travel teams.
Lars Tiffany- Head Coach, Brown Men's Lacrosse.
Bill Villareal- Boys' Coach, Ocean State Warriors Summer Travel Team
Rick Walsh- One of the founding fathers of Rhode Island Lacrosse. Founded South County Youth Lacrosse & coached numerous youth teams and high school travel teams.
Tim is Asst. Lacrosse Coach & Head Soccer Coach at Prout School (3 time defending D-2 RI State Lacrosse Champs). He will also be coaching the Ocean State Warrior Travel teams for the 3rd summer. Tim was a 4 year starter at Salve Regina (1999-2003) and was team captain & 1st team Conference in 2003. He was an asst. coach at Salve in 2004. Coach Coach Ryan is a Barrington, RI native who appreciates the growth of high school lacrosse since his playing days at Providence Country Day (1996-1998). He resides in Newport. 
Coach Whipple is Rory's nephew and is head lacrosse coach at Pittsford High School in Rochester, NY…Andrew was 3 time All-American at Maryland (1995-1998) & played on the team that lost to Princeton in the 1998 D-1 Final. He was recognized in 2007 for his dedication & service to Pittsford Lacrosse and he coached the championship teams at the 2008 & 2009 adidas National Lacrosse Classic. Coach Whipple is a veteran camp coach with a great work ethic.