One of the biggest challenges facing volleyball clubs today is finding and retaining quality coaches. Building a strong coaching staff requires consistent effort, creativity, and intentional relationship building.

Some seasons, clubs are fortunate enough to have a full coaching staff returning year after year. Other seasons, finding enough qualified coaches can be one of the biggest obstacles to growth. In some cases, clubs are forced to limit the number of teams they offer simply because they do not have enough coaches available.

Over time, successful club directors learn that recruiting, hiring, and retaining coaches is not a one-time task—it is an ongoing process. Here are some strategies to help build a strong coaching staff.

Finding Quality Coaches

Quality coaches can come from a variety of backgrounds. While experience is valuable, some of the best coaches are individuals who have a passion for teaching, a willingness to learn, and a strong connection to your club’s mission and values.

Consider these strategies when searching for new coaches:

Utilize Your Region’s Website

Posting coaching opportunities through your USA Volleyball region can help connect you with individuals who are familiar with the junior volleyball landscape and actively seeking coaching opportunities.

Promote Openings Through Your Club Channels

Your club website, social media platforms, newsletters, and email communications are valuable recruiting tools. Your existing community often includes individuals who are interested in coaching but may not know there are opportunities available.

Ask Your Current Coaching Staff

Your best recruiters are often the coaches already in your program. Encourage your staff to share opportunities with their networks and provide referrals for individuals they know and trust. A recommendation from someone who understands your club culture can provide valuable insight into a candidate’s character and work ethic.

Connect With Former Players

Former athletes are often excellent candidates for coaching positions. You already understand their playing background, commitment level, and character, and they may be looking for a way to stay connected to the sport.

Many great coaches begin their careers by returning to the club where they developed as players.

Engage Your Parent Community

Parents are another valuable resource. Many have coaching experience at the youth, middle school, or high school levels and may be interested in bringing their knowledge to the club environment.

Hiring the Right Coaches

Once you have identified potential candidates, the next step is determining whether they are the right fit for your organization.

Every coaching candidate brings a different background and requires thoughtful evaluation. Ideally, coaches will have experience as a player, coach, educator, or leader in another setting. However, experience alone does not guarantee success.

When evaluating candidates, consider:

  • Do they align with your club’s philosophy and values?
  • Are they committed to athlete development?
  • Do they communicate effectively?
  • Are they willing to continue learning?
  • Will they represent your club positively?

If a candidate has potential but lacks the experience needed to lead a team independently, consider offering an assistant coaching role. Developing coaches within your organization can create a strong pipeline of future leaders.

The reality is that you cannot fully evaluate a coach until they are working within your program. Even with strong references and an impressive resume, the true test comes through their interactions with athletes, families, and fellow coaches.

Occasionally, a club may discover that a coach is not the right fit after the season begins. While difficult, making those decisions when necessary protects the culture and experience you are building for your athletes.

Retaining Great Coaches

Finding good coaches is only the first step. Retaining them requires creating an environment where they feel valued, supported, and connected to the mission of your club.

Key Indicators of a Great Coaching Fit

Strong coaches typically:

  • Embrace and reinforce your club’s philosophy and values.
  • Arrive prepared, committed, and professional.
  • Create positive relationships with athletes and families.
  • Develop players’ skills and confidence.
  • Represent your club with integrity.
  • Receive positive feedback from athletes and parents.

When you find coaches with these qualities, make retention a priority.

Ways to Invest in Your Coaches

Successful clubs understand that coaches are their greatest asset. Consider these strategies to recognize and retain your staff:

  • Provide annual compensation increases based on performance, experience, and commitment.
  • Cover costs associated with coaching clinics, certifications, and professional development opportunities.
  • Offer additional incentives for coaches who achieve advanced certifications and commit to returning to the program.
  • Create positive team-building opportunities through coach meetings, meals, and social gatherings.
  • Provide coaching apparel and support professional presentation.
  • Recognize coaches publicly for milestones, achievements, and contributions.

One of the most important retention strategies is trust. Great coaches want the opportunity to lead, make decisions, and feel ownership within the program.

Avoid unnecessary micromanagement. Give coaches the ability to make decisions while creating systems for accountability and feedback. Club directors can evaluate coaches through practice observations, tournament visits, athlete feedback, and conversations with families.

The goal is not to catch coaches doing something wrong—it is to understand what they are doing well and provide support where they can continue to grow.

Building a Coaching Culture

There is no perfect formula for finding, hiring, and retaining great coaches. Every club will face challenges, unexpected changes, and difficult decisions along the way.

Coaches leave for many reasons. Some move away, pursue other career opportunities, transition into college coaching, or decide that coaching no longer fits their lifestyle. Occasionally, a club must make the difficult decision to move in a different direction.

But the relationships built along the way are one of the most rewarding parts of being a club director. Developing coaches, watching them grow, and seeing the impact they have on athletes is what makes the investment worthwhile.

Building a successful club starts with building a successful coaching staff. Continue searching for great people, invest in their growth, and create an environment where coaches want to stay.

View more resources for volleyball Club Directors.

Revised 7.7.2026