As the Philadelphia Waterdogs transition into the Dave Cottle era with the longtime coach stepping in as general manager, two of his former players pulled back the curtain on the man now guiding the organization.
Their perspectives span college and pro lacrosse, from Cottle’s time at Maryland to his long run with the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Cottle’s résumé from that period is hard to forget: a three-time Major League Lacrosse champion with the Bayhawks, with more than 300 NCAA wins across stints at Maryland and Loyola, 14 NCAA tournament appearances, and induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Brian Phipps got the best of both worlds with Cottle, playing four years for him at Maryland before reconnecting with him as a pro.
“He’s a character,” Phipps said. “Playing for him in college was one thing, but working with him afterward in the Bayhawks and as an adult was different. As we got closer, his wit and humor really showed, and that helped us build an even stronger relationship.”
A major part of that personality was expressed through the sayings, mottos and light-hearted challenges that stitched Cottle’s teams together.
Phipps remembers them vividly: “Start fast, finish strong,” “Play hard, be the best,” “Survive the assault” and “Work the cut.”
“Basically, things are going to get tough,” Phipps said. “But keep doing what you’re supposed to do, and things will work out.”
But nothing captured Cottle’s blend of intensity and humor more than Cheeseburger Thursdays — a tradition between the scout team and starters, with McDonald’s double cheeseburgers on the line.
“Whoever won got cheeseburgers,” Phipps said. “It made things fun and light but still competitive.”
Matt Abbott, who spent 11 seasons with the Bayhawks and played under Cottle for eight of them, echoed how those small elements built genuine camaraderie.
“He wasn’t someone who talked about culture — he lived it,” Abbott said.
As a pro, Abbott spent countless weekends traveling with teammates and coaches, and Cottle was always the kind of leader who wanted to be around his players.
“He was easy to get along with, respected as a leader, and just fun to be around,” Abbott said. “Whether it was grabbing a meal after practice or having a few drinks, he cared about the people in the organization.”
Like Phipps, Abbott described a coach whose off-field personality left as strong a mark as his on-field planning.
Abbott said he still considers Cottle a close friend, and the consistency of that relationship over time is why he believes Cottle remains so widely respected.
“I honestly don’t think anyone who really knew Coach Cottle ever had a bad thing to say about him,” Abbott said. “He was just a genuinely good person.”
Phipps added that even after moving into coaching himself, he would catch moments where he recognized Cottle’s influence.
“I’d catch myself saying his euphemisms, mottos or little phrases and think, ‘Wow, that was a Cottle-ism,’” Phipps said. He and former teammates still joke about them today.
As Cottle brings his approach to the Waterdogs, both former players believe his personality will matter just as much as his lacrosse expertise.
“His lacrosse knowledge is second to none,” Phipps said, “but he’s also someone people love being around.”
“The sport is better with him in it,” Abbott said.
