Coaches

Adam grew up in Anne Arundel county where he played lacrosse at Arundel High School for four years and was a member of the 1995 state championship team. He went on to play for the University of Maryland College Park's Club Lacrosse team, helping lead the squad to multiple Final Four appearances in the NCLL, including an undefeated national championship season in 1998. Adam continues to play as an LSM on mens league teams, including Glyndon/SRLC in the Maryland Men’s Masters League and Blarney in the MDLL Masters Division.

Adam has been involved with HCLax for several years, coaching both of his sons over several elementary and middle school seasons. He is excited to help shape and develop the 2028 team.

Tyler Nalls is our new head coach and can be contacted as follows:

240-394-2997
tyler.nalls@gmail.com

Our new assistant coaches are will be announced shortly

Nick brings a lifelong passion for lacrosse and a deep connection to Howard County's lacrosse community. A native of the area, Nick grew up playing the game locally and went on to play goalie at Mount St. Joseph High School. He began his coaching career in 2007, working with youth players and developing a reputation for teaching fundamentals and inspiring confidence in young athletes.

As a coach with HOCO Lacrosse, Nick led his boys’ team to an undefeated regular season in 2024. In addition to coaching the boys, he also serves as a goalie coach for the HOCO 2034 girls program, helping athletes sharpen their skills and improve their performance in the crease.

Nick lives in Sykesville, Maryland with his wife Melissa and their three children. His commitment to sport and to the development of young athletes makes him a valued member of the HOCO coaching staff.

Jack Simon played five years of Division I lacrosse at High Point University as a long stick midfielder after developing in New York, a premier lacrosse hotbed. His coaching approach is built around long-term player development, high lacrosse IQ, and habits that translate to success at the high school and collegiate levels. With a background in health sciences, Jack emphasizes athletic development and accountability. His goal is to provide athletes with the skills, confidence, and mindset required for the next level - on and off the field. Outside of lacrosse, Jack is an all world ironman endurance athlete and lifelong student of performance, bringing discipline, consistency, and genuine care for his players’ growth on and off the field.

Brandon Pierpont played Division 1 lacrosse at High Point University. His career was cut short his Junior year due to injuries and began writing scouting reports for the team for his Senior Year. His coaching is to help kids grow individually with their game and to increase their in-play IQ as much as possible to translate to their next level. He is in his second season as an assistant coach for the HOCO 2031 team.

Andy grew up in Howard County and spent his youth playing lacrosse on Howard County travel teams. He was a defenseman at Mount St. Joseph High where he was a 3 year starter and MVP of the varsity team. He played defense and LSM at the University of Maryland under coaches Dick Edell and Dave Cottle.

Charles was born and raised in the Dayton area of Howard County. He started playing lacrosse in Elementary school with the Cobra Lacrosse program. He went on to play football and lacrosse at Glenelg then River Hill High School where he graduated from in ‘99. He started three years on varsity lacrosse and was Captain his Junior and Senior year. Coach Whitaker has coached 2 years with HC Rec lacrosse and 4 years with the HOCO Boys Club 2028 team. The coach led the HOCO 2028 team to championship wins in the GHCLC in 2021, 2022, and 2023 as well as a MYLA club championship win in 2023. He currently holds a Silver Level Coaching Certificate with USA Lacrosse. Coach Whitaker currently resides on a farm in Clarksville, Maryland, with his wife, Jaclyn, his son, Chase, and his daughter, Emma. Chase and Emma both currently attend Good Counsel. When he is not at Lacrosse he can usually be found at Emma’s equestrian events.

A Howard County resident for more than 35 years, Steve is a graduate of River Hill High School, where he played four years of varsity lacrosse and served as a senior-year midfield captain in 2001. He began playing lacrosse in middle school through the local boys’ summer league at Cedar Lane Park, bringing a lifelong connection to the Howard County lacrosse community and his love of the game.

A multi-sport athlete, Steve began coaching as a teaching player with the University of Maryland Rugby Football Club, where he helped more than fifty recruits learn the game and develop foundational skills. Since his playing days, he has continued to contribute to coaching a variety of youth sports teams around Howard County for his own children.

Steve has formerly served in local leadership roles as a board member of the University of Maryland Alumni Board for Howard County and as trustee for his church. He and his wife, Liz, live in Clarksville with their four lovely children. Outside of lacrosse, Steve is a partner in the Washington, DC office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, where his practice focuses on intellectual property law and product development.

A native of the New York lacrosse hotbed of Somers, Reid Palmieri has spent his life dedicated to the sport. A former All-Section, All-League goalie and Team MVP for Somers High School, Reid attended Ithaca College, where he played goalie and changed position to LSM and led the team as a senior captain. He currently plays in the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL Masters) on Blarney Lacrosse.

Now based in Howard County, Reid is deeply committed to developing the next generation of players. He balances a professional career at AWS with extensive coaching roles for both boys and girls within the HCLax and HOCO organizations. Reid also serves on the HCLax Board, helping shape the future of the sport he loves. For Reid, lacrosse is a family affair—he and his three children are all active members of the Howard County lacrosse community.