December 5, 2024
By Ian Toner

A new era is dawning in Madison. Once UFA leaders named Tim DeByl the newest commissioner of the association, he and the Radicals knew he’d have to transition out of the head coaching role. With 2025 tryouts approaching, the time has come for the Radicals to move forward with new leadership.

“Coaching has always brought me a lot of joy, so I will miss it,” DeByl said. “I love watching players improve as individuals and the way in which teams come together each season to create their own identity.”

It’s hard to overstate the impact DeByl has had on Madison professional ultimate. He was the UFA’s longest tenured coach, having taken the reins when the Radicals joined the association in 2013. Under his leadership, the Radicals won one league title in 2018 and five Central Division championships from 2014 to 2018, amassing a 107-39 regular season record and 11-6 playoff record.

“Tim was the first to show that defense can win championships in our league, and much of his coaching philosophy is visible in our approach over the last handful of years with the Wind Chill,” Minnesota General Manger and Head Coach Ben Feldman said. “The Radicals beat us endlessly for many seasons, and one of the ways we finally learned how to beat them was to replicate many of their defensive tactics and strategies in our own practices, and implement them in our own way during games against them and other opponents moving forward.”

Leaders in other markets aspire to emulate the gameday experience and enthusiasm that DeByl and his staff have built at the historic Breese-Stevens Field.

“Tim's ability to bring professionalism to the league was one of the reasons we decided to start the Flyers,” said 2021 champion and 2024 finalist Mike DeNardis, the recently retired head coach of the Carolina Flyers. “His ability to run a cornerstone franchise, be a coaching innovator and continue to be a key figurehead at the league level is matched by none.”

“Tim not only helped bring me in to the league as general manager of the Wind Chill, but he was one of the main motivating factors for me to decide I wanted to coach after finishing my playing career,” said Feldman, who last played for the Wind Chill in 2019. “I saw his ability to be a general manager and a coach and how effective he was at building the Radicals program over the years.”

DeByl will still be involved with the Radicals’ defensive coaching staff, serving as a consultant alongside former All-Star and champion Kevin Pettit-Scantling. Jake Spiro, previously the UFA’s longest-tenured assistant coach who has been on DeByl’s staff since 2013, will assume head coaching responsibilities.

“When you take on a coaching role with someone who owns the team you don’t really expect to be moving into their position, so it comes as a surprise for sure,” Spiro said. “Anyone who takes on an assistant coaching job at the semi professional level isn’t doing it out of raw ambition so while this has not been anything I was expecting it has revitalized me. Before prior seasons I’ve retired from ultimate probably six or seven times and really meant it this time three or four of those times, but this year will be an exciting new challenge and I’m all in.”

“Jake has been with me as a player and a coach since 2013,” DeByl explained. “We've been through a ton of games together, and I have faith that he is the right person to take this team forward. He has an excellent mind for the game and has always taken the time to create positive relationships with the players. Also the team has always made it a priority to support the head coach with great staff members, so Jake won't have to do this alone.”

“I’ve always been more the fiery emotional leader of the team as a counterpart to Tim’s more laid back style so we will have to see how that evolves,” Spiro added. “In my opinion you can learn a lot about a leader by who they surround themselves with to advise them and I feel I am in excellent hands there with a very knowledgeable group of coaches including the person who has had this position since the team’s inception, KPS [Kevin Pettit-Scantling], Ben Gagne-Maynard and Pat Shriwise.”

Madison, fresh off its first playoff appearance since 2018, will take the field in 2025 without a franchise icon who confirmed his retirement this week, as well.

Defensive stalwart Andrew Meshnick, who suited up for Madison in every season since its 2013 founding, has hung up his cleats with the following Radicals records to his name:

• Most goals (10) and blocks (8) in a single regular season game

• Most points played in a single regular season (403 in 2016)

• Most goals (151), blocks (175) and points played (2669) in a regular season career

• Most points played (330) in a playoff career

“I can't say enough good things about Andrew Meshnick,” DeByl said. “He's just been the ultimate pro since he stepped into a Radicals uniform in 2013. That first year I asked him to learn a new position (cup) and then for the next 10 years he perfected the position creating the most fearsome cup with Matt Weber that the league has ever seen. The two of them really defined what double teaming in the UFA would look like. In the years on the team I've never seen him lose his cool, but to be clear, he played with incredible passion, but did so in such a respectful way. I think a lot of guys have learned so much from him. I know I have. It's going to be really weird to walk out on the field next year without him. His 2999 points played will stand in the Radicals record book for a long time.”

Champions Reloading

Feldman and the Wind Chill made waves in mid November by signing standout defenders James Pollard and Justin Burnett–the latter of whom Radicals leadership tried to convince to sign in Madison. While the reigning champions have taken time to savor their victory with fans and family, the group’s first indoor mini session preparing for 2025 unfolded this week.

“We needed to play defense here when there’s a great talent that moved into the Central,” Feldman said, referencing other Central teams’ interest in Burnett. “It kicks the [championship] hangover pretty quick. You get some new blood, depth of talent and it makes things interesting right away. It’s going to be a challenging depth chart this year, for sure.”

Burnett will be living and studying in Peoria, Illinois, according to Feldman, making it possible to commute to midwest airports and opponents’ venues around the Central Division. Pollard confirmed he’ll be moving to the Minneapolis area in time for the season’s start, with plans to head back to Philadelphia in August.

Feldman is hopeful that longtime travel player Quinn Snider will be able to battle for the Wind Chill in 2025. While Snider is interested in returning, it remains to be seen if he will have any international conflicts with Team Canada, as he’s expected to contend for a spot on the country’s World Games roster.

Feldman also hopes Matt Rehder, a leader Feldman described as “a massive presence” for his group, will be healthy and available enough to return for 2025, but it’s too early for anyone to confirm a commitment.

“If my body permits it, I’ll play another season,” Rehder said on November 27. “Regardless, I’m excited for the program to be competitive this year and for the organization to remain a positive space for the Minnesota ultimate community.”

Feldman also discussed a playing opportunity with 2022 MVP Ryan Osgar, who last competed with the New York Empire in 2023 and the Wind Chill in 2018. As Feldman characterizes it, Osgar is not as motivated to win another ultimate championship at this stage of his life, but he has expressed interest in sharing his extensive knowledge and experience to help other players develop and reach their potential. While Feldman isn’t ready to completely eliminate the possibility of Osgar playing or coaching with Minnesota next year, he considers both options unlikely at this stage.

In addition, Feldman confirmed he’s still talking with one other out of town player (and Minnesota hasn’t re-engaged Abe Coffin yet) but was quick to reiterate that his program isn’t looking to pack the roster with too many out of town players.

“We’ve got so much young talent and depth that it’s hard to justify incremental travel players heading into 2025,” Feldman added.

Part II of "Inside The UFA" will be released on Monday, December 9