Podcast: Jim Martocchio of Simsbury (Conn.) on coaching motivation

On this episode of the “Chasing The Goal” podcast, the guys are joined by Simsbury (Conn.) head coach Jim Martocchio.

On this week’s episode of New England Lacrosse Journal’s “Chasing The Goal” podcast, hosts Kyle Devitte and Jack Piatelli talk with Simsbury (Conn.) High School head coach Jim Martocchio.

Martocchio grew up in Simsbury and went on to become the all-time leading goal scorer in Plymouth State College (now University) men’s lacrosse history. Only one other player in school history has ever scored at least 50 goals in a season, and Martocchio did it all four years, including an amazing 86 goals and 100 points his junior year.

He is now in his 17th season coaching in the Simsbury community, having served as the head coach of the Trojans since 2010.

Simsbury finished the regular season at 10-6, with wins over Daniel Hand, Avon High School and Southington, among others.

Watch the full podcast below on YouTube. It’s also available on all major podcast platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review. Watch more episodes on the Chasing the Goal podcast channel.

Here are some excerpts from the podcast.

Kyle Devitte: What drew you to coaching high school specifically? 

Jim Martocchio: That’s a pretty good question. I feel like even when I was a player, I always understood coaches. I don’t know how to explain that, but I always felt as if I knew what they were trying to do. I knew the mentality on the field as a coach, almost. We use the term player-coach a lot, and I feel like I was always kind of that. I understood the game; I understood how to teach others what to do with it.

When my playing days were over, I didn’t want to stop playing. I did some club ball and tournaments. I did all that stuff, but I didn’t want to stop being around the sport and getting into education and teaching. It was just a natural fit and I was lucky enough that as soon as I started teaching in Simsbury, a freshman coaching job was available and I took that on.

And then I made some great connections with coaches there that really paved the way for me. Coach Rice and then Coach Corcoran, who I still work with now, they were the ultimate mentors who showed me what kind of an impact you can have as a coach. If I can’t be out there, then I want to be coaching. I love the game too much to not want to be a part of it. And I was working at that point in time with kids … it was a fun way to work with them in a different environment outside the classroom and it just stuck.

Jack Piatelli: How have you changed as a coach since you became a father? 

Jim Martocchio: That’s a great question. I think it allows you to scale back what you’ve built up over the years of coaching at a high-level varsity sport and reflect back on the smaller parts of the game — working more on the skills, working more on fundamentals. But also, at the same time, it’s a new appreciation for the sport again. So, I’ll bring a different attitude, and I’ve said it before, every once in a while you have got to find something that reenergizes you, makes you to want to get back out there and keep coaching.

Because it’s really easy to say, “You know what? I’m going to kick this stipend to the curb that they’re giving me at public high school and come home and mow my lawn in the spring instead of doing all this.” Every once in a while, you need that reminder of why you do it. And whether it be a good high school team or whatever level, you have got to find those things. Having kids get into the sport has been the ultimate sort of rebirth.

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