Coach Jim started playing volleyball in high school and then played for Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee, where he held a 20-year record for the most digs in a single set!  After college he played beach volleyball for several years in Florida, competing in the Mens and Coed divisions.

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His love for the game prompted him to become a coach, and he has been training athletes for over two decades!  He has led multiple teams to USA Volleyball Girls and Boys Nationals, in which many of his teams have finished in the top 10 in their prospective division.  Several of his teams have also attended AAU Nationals (the largest national championship of any kind featuring nearly 2,000 teams) and in 2019 his 15s took home 3rd place.

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He has worked with athletes of all levels and has helped them achieve in ways they never thought possible.  In 2020, he took a 3s-level team to a National Qualifier, coming in ranked 83rd overall.  They finished the tournament 9-1 and walked home with 3rd place.  Additionally, he has helped many athletes that have been overlooked by high school coaches find ways to receive college scholarships without even playing for their high school teams. (Fact: this year one of those athletes helped her college win the D2 National Championship!). In total, Jim has helped over 55 athletes achieve college scholarships and this year, in November, he will stand alongside three more as they accept full rides to great colleges.

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If you ask Jim why he coaches, he will say there is no greater sport than volleyball and he tries to make every athlete he teaches love it as much as he does.  Jim is also a huge lover of the statistical analysis of volleyball and has helped coach how stats can be substantially helpful in a coach's decision making.  On top of that, he has spent a large portion of the last two years focusing on anxiety in sports and how to help athletes overcome the fear they develop by playing competitive sports.

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As the father of 3 athletes, he understands the sports experience from all three levels: Athlete, Parent, and Coach.  His daughter, Faith (21) played 7 years of volleyball as a libero for both club and high school. His son Christian (18) was a quarterback, ran track, and wrestled.  His youngest son, Cross (16) played hockey and just made the transition to play as a setter for his club and high school teams.  (Fact: When Faith was just 12 years old, Coach Jim and her competed in the Beach Circuit in Florida and finished many times in the top 3). 

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When not coaching volleyball or cheering on his kids, he spends his free time running his embroidery and t-shirt business (Herbie Design).  During his free time, he builds furniture (including most of the furniture in his house.)

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Coaching Certifications:

Gold Medal Squared

IMPACT

CAP I, II
NFHS

 

Referee Certifications:
Regionally Certified
Girls Jr. National Championship Referee
Boys Jr. National Championship Referee
Girls 18s National Championship Referee

Degrees:

Bachelors Degree 

Master's Degree  

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