Eric Thelen, Coach
Playing Career:
Coach Thelen brings a wealth of playing experience from a distinguished lacrosse career. His career began at Radnor High School in Philadelphia, PA, and St. Anne's-Belfield in Charlottesville, VA, where he excelled as a close defenseman. His defensive prowess earned him a spot on a Division 1 roster at Lehigh University, where he continued to refine his skills over two seasons. Coach Thelen transferred to Clemson University after his sophomore season, where he completed his college career as a key defender and team captain.
After college, Coach Thelen extended his lacrosse journey by playing post-collegiate men’s club lacrosse, competing with multiple teams across the country. His experience includes playing for the Atlanta Lacrosse Club, Buckhead Saloon, Atlanta Travel Lacrosse, Richmond Lacrosse Club, Charlottesville Herd, Ivy Lacrosse Club, Broken Arrows, Atlanta Traffic, Atlanta Ice, and currently, Team Haole. This extensive playing career has equipped Coach Thelen with a deep understanding of the game and a passion for defense that he carries into his coaching.
Coaching Career:
With years of lacrosse experience, both on the field and on the sidelines, Coach Thelen has developed a reputation as a dedicated and knowledgeable coach, particularly in defensive strategy. As the Defensive Coordinator for Heroes Lacrosse, he was instrumental in shaping the club's defensive units, focusing on discipline, communication, and tactical awareness.
Coach Thelen also served as a Head Coach for Atlanta Travel Lacrosse and Dirty Birds Lacrosse (2028 Black), where his leadership and expertise have been vital in developing young players. His coaching philosophy emphasizes fundamentals, teamwork, and the importance of a strong defensive core.
In addition to his club coaching roles, Coach Thelen contributes to the development of middle school and U9 players as a coach for Walton Sr. Select and Walton Jr. lacrosse programs. He also committed to giving back to the community, volunteering his time as a coach with Open Door Lacrosse, a non-profit organization dedicated to making lacrosse accessible to all players in the Greater Atlanta area.
Coach Thelen's combination of high-level playing experience and diverse coaching background makes them an invaluable asset to the Dirty Birds program, instilling both skill and passion in the next generation of lacrosse players.