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Coach Tambroni Reacts to NCAA Selection

May. 6, 2013

Inside Lacrosse interviewed Coach Tambroni on the Nittany Lions NCAA selection. Here is what Coach Tambroni had to say:

No. 8 Penn State: Coach Jeff Tambroni

On Making the Tourney After Missing Last Year: "It was unbelievable. We were nervous to say the least knowing what happened last year. We didn't take anything for granted even though we thought we had a good chance, better than last year. But it was a neat feeling sitting in that locker room one year later with those guys, who didn't take it for granted either. To watch their reaction, to embrace one another after a solid year. It's a great step for our program, great for our seniors and our captains in particular."

Tradition at Penn State: "It means a lot to the university, to the AD. We have a great deal of respect for what they've given to us as a coaching staff and a team. Being the 100th anniversary of Penn State lacrosse, we've gotten to meet a lot of the alums, a lot of the family of Penn State lacrosse. It's been a pretty neat year for our staff and certainly for our team to meet those who built the foundation at Penn State. They've been super supportive to our coaches, to our players, to our coaches. This means the world to us, but it's been neat to see the reactions of our alums. They've already texted, tweeted their congratulatory notes, so I know it's a great steep for everyone, not just the kids who compete here but for the university and for anyone who's ever worn the Penn State uniform."

On Wanting to Emulate Yale: "I have a great deal of respect for Andy Shay first and foremost. Andy Shay has done a wonderful job, and in many ways we're trying to do what he does. Every year he's gotten better and better. To win that league says a lot about that team, those kids and that coaching staff. We know we're going to have our hands full. We actually met with our leaders before the selection committee just in case, if we were lucky enough to be chosen what we need to do that moment the selection committee finishes, our preparation, it's exactly where we're going."

On Bringing Success From Cornell to PSU: "I'd love to say it was me at Cornell, but we had tremendous leaders and men. Those guys went through some very difficult times, and brought those teams. The best teams we had were the ones with the best leaders up in that senior and junior class. Those are the ones who willed our way in some of those games. We talked to about 12 of our guys, talked about their poise and their leadership and the essence of what it's going to take for those guys to step up and make plays, take accountability for this week of preparation and hopefully we'll do just that."