Coaches
Boys Lacrosse Head Coach - Knute Kraus
Coach Kraus grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He has been coaching at Mater Dei since 2020. Coach Kraus played at Tesoro HS, Salisbury University, and in MLL for Denver Outlaws and Boston Cannons. Prior to Mater Dei, he coached at Tesoro HS, Concordia University Irvine, Salisbury University and Dartmouth College. Coach Kraus has been coaching lacrosse for 15 years, 5+ of them coaching college teams. In his free time, Coach Kraus likes to hang out at the beach with his fiancee and their dog, eat food, and watch the NFL. Fun Fact about Coach Kraus – “I Coach Defense.”
Assistant Boys Lacrosse Coach/Lacrosse Camp Coordinator - Johnny Rodriguez
Coach Rodriguez grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been Mater Dei Boys Lacrosse Head Coach since 2015. Coach Rodriguez played at Salisbury University: 3x All-American and 2011 D3 Goalie of the Year. From 2012-2019 Coach Rodriguez played Professional Lacrosse for Chesapeake Bayhawks (MLL), Ohio Machine (MLL), Team Maverick (LXM Pro Tour), Denver Outlaws (MLL), Rochester Rattlers (MLL), and Atlanta Blaze (MLL). Prior to Mater Dei, Coach Rodriguez was Head Coach at Trabuco Hills (2014-2015) and Assistant Coach at La Costa Canyon (2013). In his free time, Coach Rodriguez enjoys spending time with his wife, Cristina and son, Jett. Fun Fact about Coach Rodriguez - he had the most season penalty minutes in the history of Salisbury ice hockey.
Varsity Offensive Coordinator - Luke Phipps
Coach Phipps grew up in Street, Maryland. He has been coaching at Mater Dei since 2017. Coach Phipps played at Jacksonville University (2010-2011), Essex Community College (2011-2012), and Salisbury University (2012-2014). He has 8+ years of coaching high school and club lacrosse. In his free time, Coach Phipps likes to be outside and stay active. Fun Fact about Coach Phipps – he likes to go to Shabu on Fire.
Varsity Defensive Coordinator - Matt Borges
Coach Borges grew up in Garden City, New York and attended Garden City High School where he played Football, Ice Hockey, and Lacrosse. After graduating from high school, Matt continued his education and lacrosse career at Ohio State University where he majored in Finance. During his lacrosse career at Ohio State, Matt played in all 63 games of his career and started 48 consecutive games when he moved from LSM to close defense after his freshman season. Matt was part of an Ohio State defense that ranked 11th nationally in goals-against average in 2017 as the team made its first-ever appearance in the National Championship, was voted team captain in 2019, received All-American in 2019, and he ranks seventh in all-time single season caused turnovers at Ohio State.
After graduating, Matt continued his playing career playing professional lacrosse for 1 year after he was drafted to the MLL and NLL. Matt now works full time in his private equity role at L Squared Capital Partners and has joined the Mater Dei coaching staff in an effort to give back to the lacrosse community.
Varsity Assistant Offensive Coordinator - Dillon Bernad
Coach Bernad grew up in Temecula, CA. He coached at Mater Dei 2014-2017 and is excited to be back in the mix. Coach Dill played at Colorado Mesa (2010-2012), Concordia University Irvine (2013-2015). Prior to Mater Dei, he coached at Trabuco Hills from 2012-2014 and Concordia University Irvine 2016-2017. He has 7+ year of coaching high school and club lacrosse. In his free time, Coach Dill likes to ride his bike with his wife at the beach and be lazy with his bulldog Biggie. Fun fact - Coach Dill's NLF team is the only team on staff that hasn't won a Super Bowl (Chargers)
JV Coach - Massimo Germinaro
Coach Germinaro grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He joined the Mater Dei Lacrosse coaching staff in 2023. Coach Germinaro played in High School at IMG Academy (FL) and Catholic University (DC). Coach Germinaro coached at Catholic University (2021) and Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh, PA (2022). In his free time, Coach Germinaro enjoys surfing and skiing. Fun Fact about Coach Germinaro – he is in the process of getting his pilot’s license.
JV Assistant Coach - Kelly Petro
Coach Petro grew up in Mission Viejo, California. He joined the Mater Dei Lacrosse coaching staff in 2023. Coach Petro played at Mission Viejo High School and Whittier College. He has two years of High School coaching experience at Dana Hills High School and San Juan Hills High School. Coach Petro teaches Biology here at Mater Dei and in his free tiem, enjoys playing pickleball and surfing. Fun fact about Coach Petro - his favorite food is sushi.
Head of Media Production Thomas Talbot (TJ)
TJ grew up in Phoenix, Maryland. He joined the Mater Dei Boys Lacrosse coaching staff in 2023. TJ played D3 lacrosse at Elizabethtown College in PA. In his free time, TJ enjoys boating with his family. Fun Fact about TJ – he was a media team member for the 2023 College Football Playoff Semifinal (VRBO Fiesta Bowl).