This fall sees the return of two legendary coaches from Goucher history with Kyle Hannan coming back as head men’s lacrosse coach, and John Caslin returning as the senior distance running and cross country coach.
Hannan was at Goucher for twelve seasons from 2001-2012. The lacrosse team had an incredible run under his authority, capturing two Landmark Conference championship wins and two NCAA playoff appearances. He was part of the Landmark Conference coaching staff of the year in 2010, and is widely regarded as the most successful men’s lacrosse coach at Goucher.
After leaving Goucher 2012, Hannan landed at Mercer College in 2013 where he coached their Division I lacrosse program. After eight seasons there, he resigned, stating in a press release “I have been coaching collegiate athletics for the past 34 years… The time has come for me to begin an exciting new chapter of my life in the business sector of lacrosse. This is an amazing opportunity for my wife and two children.”
After nearly a decade away, his return was announced this past summer.
John Caslin also returned to Goucher this season in a senior position as he guides Goucher newcomer JT Klopcic. Caslin was the head cross country coach here at Goucher for 26 years, and had created and run the track program for 19 years when he left Goucher in December of 2019.
Caslin felt “it was time for someone younger and with more energy to run the program,” and was confident in his successor, Erick Camodeca, to fill his shoes. Caslin actually recommended Camodeca for the position, and said “he had run for me in the early days of the track program and had been our track & field GA. He is really one of the best Division III coaches in the country. It was easy for me to leave it to him.”
After two seasons, Camodeca reached out to Caslin about coming back to help with the team.
“Coach Cam and I chat quite frequently and in our conversations we would talk about our programs,” Caslin said, “I was excited when he asked if I would be interested in returning to work with the distance runners. It was a pretty easy decision in a lot of ways because Goucher is home to me.”
Now that both men have made their return to Goucher, the work at home begins. Hannan is looking forward to the spring for lacrosse season, but isn’t waiting until then to start making positive changes to the team. “He’s been super busy with recruiting,” sources inside the athletic department reported.
Caslin has also hit the ground running. “The goal is to move the student athletes and the team forward to make the step that will lead Goucher to being competitive in the Landmark Conference within the very near future,” he said, “The Landmark Conference has developed into a premier cross country conference, so we have some work to do, [but] I have been impressed with the work ethic and willingness that this women’s team has made to improve. It is great to be back!”
