Coaching Staff

Coach Van first started playing lacrosse as a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy / LBJ in Austin, TX. After highschool, he attended the University of Texas at Austin where he walked onto the Longhorns Lacrosse team and quickly found playing time as an LSM. After graduation, Coach Van served as the Defensive Coordinator for the McCAllum Knights Lacrosse team for 2 seasons. With his remaining college eligibility, he accepted a scholarship to Dallas Baptist University to be a Graduate Assistant and player on the lacrosse team where he earned All-Conference Honors as a Defenseman. Most recently, he coached for the Bowie Bulldogs Lacrosse where he coached defenders and faceoff specialists. Coach Van is excited to join the program as Head Coach where his immediate goals are to grow the team, help recruitment, develop new players to compete for a championship, and assist upperclassmen with college recruitment. 

Head Coach

Coach John Spells has been coaching youth through high school lacrosse players since 2022. This will be his third season helping coach the Tigers Varsity Squad.  

Prior to coaching, Coach John Spells played 2 years in college at the NAIA level for Ottawa University. He was a versatile player contributing at Close, Midfield, and LSM defensive positions.  

Coach John Spells will serve as the Defensive Coordinator for the Tigers this season.

Coach Spells is excited to again be on the sidelines helping the Tiger Lacrosse team improve and become serious contenders this season in the Texas High School Lacrosse League!

Coach John Spells

Coach Thomas Yacopino is from Long island NY, and has been playing lacrosse since he was 8 years old. This is his first year coaching, and we are thrilled to have him join the team.

Coach Tom played as an Attack for one year, then switched to goalie and never looked back. In high school he was on the JV team in 8th and 9th grade then moved up to Varsity until he graduated.

After graduation Coach Tom joined the Army and served for 6 years. He has been part of the Central Texas Community since 2010, and now has the privilege of helping our young men grow and learn the game of lacrosse.

Coach Thomas Yacopino