Coaches
Coach Matthew Verducci brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion to our lacrosse community. A 2014 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a BS in Economics, Matt distinguished himself as both a Varsity Letter Winner on Navy’s NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse team and as a National Champion and First-Team Offensive Selection on the Naval Academy’s Club Lacrosse team (NCLL). Lacrosse runs deep in the Verducci family—his younger brother, Ryan, was a Goalie for Navy's D-1 Lacrosse Program, Class of 2022.
Following his graduation from Annapolis, Matt commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and served aboard USS ESSEX (LHD-2) in San Diego, California. After earning his SWO Qualification, Matt transferred to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Community, where he served and graduated as Officer-in-Charge of Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUD/S) Class 331, the grueling training pipeline for Navy SEALs. He is one of fewer than 400 Naval Officers to have ever held that prestigious position: a testament to his character, leadership, and mental toughness.
Since his honorable discharge from the Navy in 2019, Coach Verducci has blended his military discipline with a passion for human performance, serving as a Sports Science Solutions Consultant to elite programs including Alabama Football, USC Baseball, the Florida Panthers, and the Chicago Bulls.
Coach Verducci’s greatest passion lies in building cultures rooted in belonging, bonding, and belief. He returns to his place of birth with a mission: to use a fast-paced, East Coast style of lacrosse as a platform for shaping young men into strong, confident, and capable leaders—on and off the field.
Coach Tommy Minkler brings a thoughtful, athlete-centered approach to lacrosse shaped by decades of experience as a player, coach, educator, and psychology professional. A graduate of Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, Coach Minkler played under legendary head coach Rob Bordley before continuing his playing career at Division III Ohio Wesleyan University, where he served as a two-time team captain.His coaching journey has included stops at the high school and collegiate levels, including Landon School, Ohio Wesleyan University (Division III), The Catholic University of America (Division III), and West Virginia University (MCLA). In addition to his coaching experience, he has worked with Trilogy Lacrosse, helping develop players across a wide range of ages and competitive levels.Coach Minkler completed his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and his Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at West Virginia University. Beyond the field, he is a university professor, trauma therapist, and certified mental performance consultant who works with athletes across the lifespan to support their growth and development. His coaching philosophy is grounded in his identity as a teacher and mentor. He believes the primary responsibility of a coach is to create a developmentally appropriate environment that supports athlete autonomy, promotes skill and personal competence, and fosters genuine connection. He emphasizes growth, accountability, and self-awareness—helping athletes not only perform at their best but also to develop the tools to thrive beyond the game.
Coach Falbo began playing lacrosse at Hughes Middle School and his passion for the game hasn't faded since. Falbo was 4 year varisty letter winner, 3 year starter, and 2 time CIF Champion at Foothill High School. Coach Falbo continued his playing career at the University of Arizona as a 4 year starter. The MCLA competition fortified his understanding of discipline and commitment to compete and perform consistently at a high level. Coach Falbo quickly transitioned into a Head Coach role at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, leading the team to its first ever CIF playoff appearance in school history during his first year. He continued to serve the OC Lacrosse scene by assisting University High School for the following two seasons and leading them to CIF quarterfinal appearances. Coach Falbo's focus is on developing character, leadership, and accountability. He believes lacrosse is a powerful tool for teaching real life skills that go beyond the field and looks forward to helping the boys develop in all phases of life. When he's not coaching at Newport Harbor, Ryan builds custom homes with his family and sells real estate across Orange County.
Rhett Farmer returns to Newport Harbor Lacrosse as an assistant coach after a decorated playing career with the program. From 2016–2020, he was a four-year varsity letterman and part of a competitive era of Sailor lacrosse.
Farmer graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 2020 as Valedictorian and the class’s Math Student of the Year, reflecting the same discipline and work ethic he brought to the field.
He continued his academic career at UCLA, where he graduated in 2024 with a degree in Biochemistry. While at UCLA, he served as Captain of the UCLA Men’s Club Lacrosse Team. His academic work has focused on research in neurodegenerative diseases, and he remains actively involved in scientific research while pursuing a career in medicine. Outside of academics and coaching, he volunteers with hospice care, supporting patients and families during difficult stages of life.
As a coach, Farmer emphasizes the intersection between individual development and team success. He believes strong teams are built when players commit to mastering their own fundamentals while understanding how their effort elevates those around them. His goal is to help athletes grow not only as lacrosse players, but also as disciplined teammates and leaders.
Harrison Gore has been playing and coaching lacrosse for over 20 years and is entering his fourth season with the Newport Harbor High School lacrosse program, where he currently serves as the Head JV Coach.
Before joining Newport Harbor, Coach Gore played collegiately for the Baylor Bears Men’s Club Lacrosse Team, where he served as both the Offensive Coordinator and Club President. During his playing career, he led the team in goals and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors twice.
As a coach, Harrison emphasizes player development and long-term engagement with the sport. He is passionate about helping athletes build a lasting love for lacrosse while developing the leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that extend beyond the field.
Brandon Attanese joins the Newport Harbor lacrosse staff as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. He has spent the last decade training athletes at various stages in their careers, including Super Bowl champions and Olympic gold medalists. He is the owner of a sports performance business focused on developing stronger, faster, and more powerful athletes. Brandon also serves as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Saddleback Football, where he helps prepare athletes to compete at a high level. He earned his degree in Kinesiology from Gonzaga University, building a strong foundation in human performance and exercise science and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). His coaching philosophy emphasizes proper movement mechanics, progressive training, and long-term athletic development. Through his work, Brandon is passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential while building confidence, discipline, and resilience.