New head coach Brett Galt leading Matanzas boys lacrosse

Galt was the team's conditioning coordinator the past two years.

By Ray Boone
| 12:20 p.m. March 10, 2020

Matanzas head coach Brett Galt. Photo by Ray Boone

Matanzas head coach Brett Galt talks to his team after the third quarter in the Pirates' game against Seminole. Photo by Ray Boone

Matanzas head coach Brett Galt. Photo by Ray Boone

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

Efrain Gutierrez was a mainstay in Flagler County lacrosse ever since he suited up for Matanzas as a high-schooler from 2008 to 2011. He became the Pirates boys lacrosse team’s defensive coordinator soon after and eventually became the team’s head coach.

He stepped down as the team’s head coach at the conclusion of the 2019 season, giving way to a man who was on his staff for the previous two seasons.

“I try to be a coach on the field and a friend off the field. I feel like the kids are responding well to my style. They know what I expect.”

BRETT GALT, Matanzas boys lacrosse coach

Brett Galt, who used to be the Pirates’ conditioning coordinator, was made the head coach of the team prior to the start of the 2020 season.

“It means a lot,” Galt said of being made head coach. “I love coaching these kids.”

Galt graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School in 1992. The school didn’t have a lacrosse program at the time, but he did foster a love for the game growing up in New Jersey.

“I just love this sport and helping it grow,” he said.

He has high expectations for his team. The goal in his first season is to win a district championship.

To accomplish that, Galt will rely on his “old school” coaching philosophy.

“I’m hard nosed — but with a purpose,” he said. “We want to bring this program back to where it was. This is a high intensity, fun sport.”

He added: “I try to be a coach on the field and a friend off the field. I feel like the kids are responding well to my style. They know what I expect.”

Galt has plenty of talented players to rely on. Among them, his son Brett, who is a senior on the team.

“It’s a cool experience being coached by my dad,” Brett said. “He’s always coached me. On the field, he’s my coach. Off of it, he’s my dad.”

In addition, it’s goal keeper Stephen Usina’s first season with the team. He transferred from FPC before the start of the 2019-20 school year. Usina was friendly with the Pirates’ previous head coach and has known Galt since Usina was in preschool.

“He’s like a second father to me,” Usina said. “I’m glad he’s my coach.”