This is Nick’s third year coaching at Smash, after spending the last 19 years teaching and coaching at Oakville Trafalgar High School and Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School. Last season Nick coached Smash 17U Blaze, where they finished top 25 in the Province and brought home a gold medal at Provincials, as well as a silver medal at Nationals. Now an Assistant on 18U Blaze, he hopes to build on the momentum created to see how far the team can climb.
Volleyball has been a part of Nick’s life since the age of 10, where he started learning and playing the game at a competitive level. His playing years were in the State of Indiana where he attended Indiana University and met his wife of 22 years. They moved to Canada in 2005, where he began his teaching and coaching career, and they have two daughters named Camryn (who plays for Smash) and Bryn.
Nick is a Development Coach who pushes an aggressive offense and tough shut down defense. His philosophy is to teach and give the necessary tools for success to the players during practice, so they can be confident and comfortable in their abilities during games. Volleyball is both a skill and mental game, so players need to have both to reach their full potential. As a teacher he strives to fill the players with confidence so they’re hungry to learn and improve day in and day out. A team will go as far as the group’s passion and connectedness will allow them. When you enjoy who you’re playing for and playing with, growth is exponential.
