Lacrosse is a passion for Coach Gantz with his start in high school at Glenbrook North(Northbrook) and then at the University of Illinois.
Coach Gantz returned to Glenbrook North High School to coach lacrosse for 5 years until moving out to the NW suburbs with his wife and two children. He took over the Palatine High School program in 2018. Coach Gantz was previously at neighboring Fremd High School, where is coached multiple levels for the Vikings 2015-2018. Coach Gantz's commitment to the sport of lacrosse has even grown within his family, where he coached his son's youth teams to IBLA State Championships in 2018 and 2019. Coach Gantz brings a history of success from his various coaching positions with multiple high school conference championships and tournament wins in Illinois.
Christopher Gantz Head Coach
Coach Hays is a teacher first and foremost through his dedication for special education and the students. He began his coaching career through coaching high school football, and has been a Player Development coach for the National Football League for the last 17 years. In addition to coaching football, Coach Hays has been coaching lacrosse since 2014. Coach Hays was previously on the coaching staff at Schaumburg High School where he was the assistant varsity coach from 2017-2021. His commitment to both teaching and coaching consists of developing young athletes in honesty, commitment, responsibility, and optimism. Through this, each athlete will incorporate these values into their lives. Coach Hays’s love of lacrosse has grown deep within his family through coaching both of his son’s teams in field and box lacrosse. Coach Hays brings valuable knowledge and successes along with multiple championship win experiences at various levels. Coach Hays lives by the motto: “No excuses, make adjustments”.
Paul Hays Varsity Assistant Coach
Coach Michael Woodin was born and raised in Palatine where he began his lacrosse career at Palatine High School, playing from 2007-2011 as a mid-fielder. As captain of the program in 10' & 11', he also received MVP in 2011. Coach Mike still plays in men's leagues in his free time. He has been coaching since 2015 with Penguins Lacrosse. He has spent the last 2 seasons with Geneva High School as their Assistant Varsity Coach.
Michael Woodin JV Coach
Coach Wodzien is a Palatine native, who currently teaches at PHS and has been a a PHS Wrestling Coach for 12 years. Coach Wodzien is a 2000 graduate of Fremd High School, where he participated in football and track. He went on to study English Education at Illinois State University. He has taught English for 12 years at PHS. Coach Wodzien provides a great health and wellness background to the program.