Tag: college

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Mike Lingenfelter

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Finding Your Coaching Niche

USA club coach Mike Lingenfelter spent a number of years in the college coaching ranks as both an assistant and head coach following his own playing career. He has really found a home coaching younger developing players at the Juniors level, though. He’s spent over 15 years at the highly respected Munciana program – the oldest volleyball club in the US. There he feels he can have the greatest impact as a trainer and player developer.

His resume includes:

  • Four national championships, four national runner-ups, and three third place finishes with his Juniors teams
  • Three Indiana state high school championships.
  • Indiana state high school Coach of the Year on three occasions.
  • Regular coaching clinic presenter

Here’s some of what Mike discusses in his interview:

– Evolving as a coach
– Having a culture
– Structuring and managing team tryouts
– Developing team culture and cohesion
– Managing the demands of a long season
– Having a player-first mentality

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Mike’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

Mike’s interview can also be found in the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Joel Dearing

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Coaching as Teaching

American coach Joel Dearing spent 30 years coaching the women’s team at Springfield College in NCAA Division III. He also coached the Springfield men for 7 years before handing them off. All of this was while teaching. Joel is one of the most respected coaches in the Northeast of the USA, not only based on the performance of his teams, but also for his efforts in helping other coaches develop.

His resume includes:

  • Ranks in the top 10 in NCAA Division III victories with over 700
  • Lead the Springfield men’s team to a final #1 ranking in his final season
  • AVCA Regional Coach of the Year 5 times.
  • Coached 10 All-Americans
  • Author of Volleyball Fundamentals and The Untold Story of William G. Morgan – Inventor of Volleyball
  • On the board of the Volleyball Hall of Fame
  • 2019 Inductee into the AVCA Hall of Fame
  • Long-time member of the USA Volleyball CAP Cadre

Here’s some of what Joel discusses in his interview:

– Volleyball history
– Having protocols
– Coaching blind spots
– Reinventing yourself as a coach over time
– Developing your best players, not just improving your weakest
– Gender differences in team bonding
– Developing captains and team leaders

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Joel’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

You can also get Joel’s interview as part of the following Bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Marilyn McReavy-Nolen

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

A Long-Term Perspective on Coaching

Marylin McReavy-Nolen’s history in the sport of volleyball goes back to the 1960s. She’s coached at a variety of levels, helped develop some of the bigger collegiate programs, and has had the opportunity to work with a number of other great coaches along the way.

Her resume includes:

  • Became the 3rd coach to reach 800 wins in NCAA Division I
  • Member of the inaugural AVCA Hall of Fame induction class in 2003.
  • Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame
  • USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coaches Award winner

Here’s some of what Marilyn discusses in her interview:

– Making important coaching career decisions
– Changes in physical and technical training in volleyball
– The challenges for women in coaching
– The changing influences on the practice of coaching
– Expectations and playing time

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Marilyn’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

You can also get Marilyn’s interview as part of the following Bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Jim Stone

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Following Collegiate Success with National Team Work

After a distinguished career coaching in one of the strongest conferences in NCAA Division I volleyball, Jim Stone has turned his focus to working with the future of the USA national team program.

His resume includes:

  • Over 500 wins in 26 year coaching NCAA Division I volleyball, including 3 Big 10 titles and 15 trips to the NCAA tournament
  • Coached two AVCA Players of the Year and 19 All-Americans.
  • Regional and conference coach of the year on four occasions
  • Member of the US National Team coaching staff.

Here’s some of what Jim discusses in his interview:

– Making player assessments in tryout situations
– Putting together a coaching staff
– Managing players who have never failed before
– Developing as a coach
– Comparing the US and other systems

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Jim’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

You can also get Jim’s interview as part of the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Jenny McDowell

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Lots More Yet to Come

American collegiate coach Jenny McDowell has already inscribed her name in the record books and looks far from done. Despite coaching at an academic rigorous institution, she has amassed and impressive track record of success.

Her resume includes:

  • Over 700 wins in NCAA Division III
  • 23 straight trips to the NCAA tournament, making the round of 16 on 19 occasions, with 6 trips to the Final Four and two national championships.
  • Has had nearly 50 All-American player selections
  • Coached two National Players of the Year

Here’s some of what Jenny discusses in her interview:

– Working in a demanding academic environment
– Selecting captains and responsibilities
– Keeping non-starters happy in a big squad
– Goal setting
– Structuring training through the season

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Jenny’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

You can also get Jenny’s interview as part of the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Ruth Nelson

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Developing Volleyball’s Future Generations

Ruth Nelson coached at the highest levels of the sport in the college, professional, and national team ranks. Recently, though, she has turned her attention to coaching kids at the very beginning of their journey and says she’d never go back.

Her resume includes:

  • Over 500 wins in 16 years of NCAA Division I coaching
  • US Women’s National Team assistant coach under Arie Selinger and Head Coach of the US Junior National team.
  • Coached in the US professional league Major League Volleyball
  • AVCA Hall of Fame inductee

Here’s some of what Ruth discusses in her interview:

– Being a new sponge in terms of your development
– Reasons for avoiding early specialization in young players
– Being a trainer vs. a coach
– Working with the new generation of athletes

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Ruth’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

Additionally, Ruth’s interview is featured in the first Volleyball Coaching Wizards book. You can also access it as part of the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Iradge Ahrabi-Fard

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Volleyball Coach and Researcher

Iranian Iradge Ahrabi-Fard started his career in his native land, but rose to international prominence while coaching in the US. As a professor of physical education, he has helped link coaching with research. He has published numerous volleyball coaching related articles.

His resume includes:

  • Member of the inaugural class of AVCA Hall of Fame inductees
  • Over 500 NCAA Division I victories in 19 seasons
  • 1999 AVCA Division I National Coach of the Year
  • 1997 AVCA Excellence in Education Award winner
  • Consultant and coach for USA Volleyball

Here’s some of what Iradge discusses in his interview:

– Adapting what you learn to your own coaching
– The importance of proper rest/recovery for athletes
– Coaching across different cultures (and sports)
– Being a professor and a coach
– A number of research observations

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Iradge’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

You can also get Iradge’s interview as part of the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Tom Tait

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Father of the Penn State Volleyball Programs

In the 1970s Tom Tait, a professor of kineseology, took charge of both the men’s and women’s teams at Penn State. They were club programs at the time, but he eventually saw both elevated to full varsity status. After handing off the women’s team to Russ Rose, Tom carried on for several more years with the men before shifting is focus to coaching education.

His resume includes:

  • 6 NCAA tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish
  • 1986 Volleyball Monthly National Coach of the Year
  • 5 times Eastern Collegiate Coach of the Year
  • EIVA Coach Emeritus
  • Member of the inaugural AVCA Hall of Fame induction class

Here’s some of what Tom discusses in his interview:

– Learning from successful coaches
– The history and development of Penn State Volleyball
– Training attackers to hit with power
– The importance of understanding athlete movement

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Tom’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

Tom’s interview is also featured in the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Sue Gozansky

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

One of the World’s Most Respected Coaching Educators

Coaches around the world know Sue Gozansky from her tireless efforts in coaching education and development. She is also author of well respected coaching books. All of this is built on a long, successful career coaching US collegiate volleyball and in a variety of international capacities.

Her resume includes:

  • Nearly 700 wins in 39 seasons coaching at UC Riverside.
  • 3 National Championships and a record 20 straight trips to the NCAA tournament.
  • Author of Championship Volleyball Techniques and Drills and Volleyball Coach’s Survival Guide
  • International coaching instructor for the FIVB and for USA Volleyball
  • AVCA Hall of Fame inductee

Here’s some of what Sue discusses in her interview:

– Developing the team concept and team-building
– Coaching career progression and growth
– Learning and sharing coaching knowledge
– Managing relationships with player
– Training planning and implementation

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Sue’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

Sue’s interview is also featured in the following bundles:

Volleyball Coaching Wizard Mick Haley

Posted onAuthorVolleyball Coaching Wizards

Making Winning Championships a Habit

After enormous success at the Junior College level, Mick Haley became the first coach of a non-West Coast university to win an NCAA Division I National Championship when he did it at Texas. After coaching in the Olympics, he once more led a college team to the top while running the USC program.

His resume includes:

  • 2000 Olympics coach for the USA Women’s National Team
  • NCAA Division I National Championships with two different universities.
  • 6 Junior College National Championships
  • Well over 1000 career victories
  • Member of multiple coaching halls of fame.

Here’s some of what Mick discusses in his interview:

– Coach development and education
– Working with male vs female players
– When things aren’t as good as you’re used to
– Creating a volleyball powerhouse at Texas
– The influence of the international game on US coaching

Play this excerpt for a taste of the sort of insights and ideas you’ll get from the full interview:

Get access to Mick’s interview now for just a $4.99 contribution to the Volleyball Coaching Wizards project.

Mick’s interview is also available as part of these bundles: