Metzbower leads while dodging the spotlight

When most people think of Princeton lacrosse, head coach Bill Tierney immediately comes to mind as a key element of the program's success every year. Yet there is an equally important, if underacknowledged, member of the coaching staff: David Metzbower.

This season marks Metzbower's 17th as a part of the Princeton lacrosse program and his 17th season working with Tierney. Four seasons ago, Metzbower was promoted to associate head coach. "What goes on with Princeton lacrosse is as much to the credit of him as to me and the players," Tierney said. "He's a dynamic man with endless energy."

Originally from Baltimore, Metzbower attended the University of Delaware where he played on the lacrosse team as an attackman. After graduating from Delaware in 1986, Metzbower became a coach at Delaware and stayed there for several seasons before coming to Princeton.

Metzbower's principal tasks for the Tigers include coordinating the team offense, warming up the goalies, reviewing game video, handling recruiting visits and taking care of countless other behind-the-scenes tasks that allow the team to run as smoothly as it does.

While his role has evolved somewhat over the years, it has remained largely the same. As recruiting has become more intense and more of a focus over the years, Metzbower has stepped up to handle that aspect of the program. Overall, however, he has simply become stronger in his key roles as goalie coach and offensive coordinator.

"He knows how to keep things in line and organized," Tierney said.

Metzbower himself is humble about his role with the team. "I do whatever my head coach tells me to do," he said of his responsibilities as he was rushing off to review game footage in preparation for the team's upcoming games.

Yet regardless of his humility, Metzbower is a crucial element of the Princeton coaching staff. His offensive prowess meshes well with and complements Tierney's extensive experience with defense, making for a powerful coaching team.

"His role is no less than mine is," Tierney said. "And it is a lot greater than mine in some ways."

And indeed, Metzbower's accomplishments as a coach for the Tigers are certainly impressive. He has coached 21 first-team All-Ivy attackmen, four attackmen who became Ivy League Players of the Year and three who were named Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

Before Metzbower came to Princeton, 175 was the record for the number of goals scored by the team in a season. Under Metzbower's guidance, the team has averaged 190 goals each season since 1990, and during the period 1996-1998, the team averaged 225.

"We certainly would not be talking about 12 Ivy League Championships and six National Championships if it were not for Dave Metzbower," Tierney said.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Metzbower brings a unique element to the Princeton offense. He teaches his players intricate strategies that take more than physical strength to implement. "He brings the offensive game of lacrosse to a more cerebral level," Tierney said.

While he has certainly been a strong leadership figure for his players over the years, players have also developed a relationship with Metzbower as a friend.

"I think the guys think of him in a very respectful way, as a guy who can very easily lead them," Tierney said. "And they look at him as a friend."

Metzbower would agree, and he sees himself as playing a distinct and important role for the players. According to Metzbower, it is Tierney's job to keep the team disciplined and focused, and it is his job to "take the guys off the floor, pat them on the back, and tell them to keep trying."