Head Coach
Mike Plantholt
Email Coach Plantholt
(804) 752-3784
Mike Plantholt was named as the new head coach of the Yellow Jackets men’s lacrosse program in August of 2006.
A 2001 graduate of Gettysburg College, Plantholt comes to Ashland after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater the past four years, including three seasons as the Bullets’ defensive coordinator.
In addition to his defensive duties, Plantholt assisted Bullets’ head coach Hank Jancyk with the implementation and development of offensive philosophies. Plantholt was also involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the lacrosse program at Gettysburg, serving as recruiting coordinator, monitoring the team’s academics and conditioning, as well as game planning and on the field instruction.
In 2006, Plantholt's defensive unit ranked first in Division III with a 5.26 goals-against average, besting his 2004 unit that ranked fourth with a 6.50 goals-against average. The 2006 squad featured three All-Centennial Conference defenders with two of them earning All-America status. In addition to his defensive duties, he also coaches the team's face-off specialists.
Plantholt broke into the coaching ranks as an assistant at Muhlenberg College from September of 2001 until May of 2002. During his year in the Mules’ program, Plantholt served as the recruiting coordinator, working to put together the institution’s inaugural team.
As a player, Plantholt was a three-time first-team All-CC choice, a two-time All-American and the 2001 USILA Division III Defenseman of the Year. The Cockeysville, Md., native helped the Bullets win four consecutive conference titles and, as a team captain in 2001, guided Gettysburg to its first-ever berth in the NCAA championship game.
Plantholt, who resides in Glen Allen, received his Master Degree in Business Administration from Mount St. Mary's Univeristy in May of 2007.
Assistant Coach
George Kennedy
George Kennedy enters his first season as an assitant coach with Randolph-Macon in 2008, but he is no stranger to the Yellow Jacket program or the lacrosse community.
Kennedy will assist Plantholt with various aspects of the Yellow Jacket lacrosse program including recruiting, team coordination, and game substitutions. The first of Kennedy's three sons, George Jr., was a member of the R-MC program and a 1997 graduate of the college.
“I couldn’t be happier to now welcome him into the R-MC lacrosse family,” said Plantholt. “His coaching experience speaks volumes about his commitment and enthusiasm for the sport. His knowledge of players, his understanding of our team’s vision, and his history with R-MC lacrosse will benefit our program tremendously.”
During the past 17 years, Kennedy has acted as the head coach of the Maryland Redshirts & Baltimore Prep High School Tournament Teams, winning five National Tournament Championships and an additional five regional championships. He has also coached 60+ midget-level games in the infamous rough & ready Canadian Box League. Kennedy also spent eight years as a head coach in the Central Atlantic Lacrosse League (C.A.L.L.) and three years as a head coach in the men's United States Club Lacrosse Association (U.S.C.L.A.).
Kennedy has also served as a member of the U.S International Committee for the1994 World Games, a member of the 1994 U.S. World Team Selection Committee, a board member and program representative of the Maryland Youth Lacrosse Association ("MYLA").
Kennedy’s experience has also stretched into the professional ranks having served as the Assistant to the General Manager of the Baltimore Thunder of the National Lacrosse League.
In addition, Kennedy founded and is currently acting director of University Lacrosse in Baltimore Maryland, a teaching, training & playing program for middle-school and high-school players in preparation for the college game.