March 31, 2000

By Chris McManes
Special to the Prince George's Journal

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - It was the summer of 1976 and Dick Edell was having second thoughts about becoming head lacrosse coach at Army. The stumbling block was the academy requirement that he keep the two existing assistant coaches. But if not for that rule, the current Maryland head coach might never have met Dave Slafkosky.

Edell and Slafkosky, the Terrapins' defensive coordinator, are now in their 24th season together, the last 17 at Maryland.

"I thought that really was a concern, and that shows you how smart I am," Edell said. "It's turned out to be one of the most fortunate things that's ever happened to me in my life."

Edell is quick to point out that of his 264 career victories (fourth all-time), 219 have been shared with Slafkosky. They will attempt to make it 220 tonight as the No. 6 Terrapins (6-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) host No. 2 Virginia (4-1, 0-0) at Byrd Stadium at 8 p.m. The game will be televised live by WMAR-TV channel 2.

In their previous 23 seasons together, Edell and Slafkosky -- known to their players as "Big Man" and "Coach Slaf," respectively -- have led their teams to 15 NCAA playoff appearances, 12 10-plus victory seasons and three berths in the national championship game (1995, '97, '98).

Slafkosky's relationship with Edell predates his 20-year marriage. For most of the year, they spend more time with each other than they do with their wives.

"My wife has questioned that a few times," Slafkosky said lightheartedly. "Maybe that's why my marriage has stayed a lot longer. Maybe she doesn't want to have me around that much.

... She knows that during the spring, she doesn't see a whole lot of me."

Slafkosky has directed Edell's defense for 12 of his 17 seasons in College Park. From 1991-95 he demonstrated the depth of his lacrosse knowledge by working as offensive coordinator.

"He's a smart boy," Edell said. "Lacrosse isn't rocket science, but he's smart, he's got good intuition in terms of dealing with people. And he really works hard."

The principal reason Army required Edell to retain the previous staff was that they were members of the military. Slafkosky, who played on a national champion at Johns Hopkins in 1974, began as an enlisted man before rising to the rank of captain. He had been at Army for two seasons (1975-76) prior to Edell's arrival from the University of Baltimore.

Slafkosky's military duties were limited. He remembers serving three times as officer of the day during the Army-Navy football game, a pretty easy assignment in West Point, N.Y., when the entire Corps of Cadets was at the contest in Philadelphia.

"The only problems were when people called up complaining about losing the game," Slafkosky said. "That was about it. ... I never thought of myself as an Army officer, that's for sure."

Slafkosky and Edell left the banks of the Hudson River for Maryland in 1984. After going 14-9 in their first two seasons leading the Terps, they went 22-4 the next two. Edell credits Slafkosky for helping to keep the Maryland lacrosse program among the nation's elite.

"There is no better assistant," he said. "In terms of knowledge, work ethic, dedication, loyalty, he grades at the top of the scale. And it seems like, over time, the things that I like to do maybe he doesn't like to do. So it's been sort of a good fit. Maybe my strength in a certain area is not his strongest thing, and vice versa."

Slafkosky said Edell is a superior motivator.

"The kids play for Dick Edell," he said. "They respond to how he gets them moving. The kids at this age need a Dick Edell to get them excited. He lets his assistants do a lot of the Xs and Os, but the motivation comes from him.

"Every kid has a personal relationship with him. That's one thing I've learned about how he handles a team. I hope if I ever get a chance (to be a head coach), I don't forget that."

Slafkosky, 47, tried to leave Maryland twice in the early `90s for head coaching positions, but came in second at Hobart and Dartmouth. He said he would still consider leaving for a head job if the right situation materialized, but would prefer to succeed Edell when the 56-year-old Terrapin mentor decides to retire. "I hope they give me that opportunity," Slafkosky said. "But I don't want Dick leaving yet. I think Dick still has two or three more years in him, I really do. I'd like to see him end it when he wants to end it."

Edell doesn't have a retirement timetable.

"I'm still having fun and I'm still healthy," he said. "I still think we've got something to impart. They're not going to have to chase me away. I think I'm going to know when it's time to stop. I would certainly love it to be a situation where, if Dave is here at that moment, that he would be given first consideration. There's no doubt in my mind that that's the right thing to do."

Edell said his coaching staff at Maryland, which includes Scott Marr and Jon Stainbrook, is not a tiered situation. He thinks this has contributed to he and Slafkosky's longevity together.

"Dave has always worked with me," Edell said. "I don't think Dave's ever worked for me, and I work with him. I think our values are the same. We share a lot of commonalties in terms of what we think is important. We're both family men, both prolific producers of children (four each). He's not going to cheat on his wife and I'm too tired to do it.

"We're friends and always have been. I've never really thought about the whys of our relationship. I've just always been thankful that I've had it."