I feel coaching is a way of giving back to the sport which I am so passionate. I have been playing volleyball since I was 15 years old. As I got older I decided to become a coach to help pass along the skills, knowledge, and life lessons I have learned through my playing career. Over the past 20+ years, I have done just that.

I am a true believer you need to teach the “game” of volleyball along with the technical skills required to play. I spend time with my athletes teaching the tactical aspects of the game in an effort to increase their overall volleyball IQ. Understanding the game makes the game easier to play as it slows it down to a manageable pace. This becomes crucial as players become older and start playing at higher levels.

Along with tactical and technical skill development, I push the athletes to learn how to self-motivate, control their emotions, manage their time, and put the team before themselves. These are lifelong skills that can be used beyond athletics and something I believe needs to be taught. They are the intangibles that sometimes help you not only achieve your goals but look beyond them and continue setting new ones.

I coach both boys and girls of all ages. I’ve coached beginner level players through top-level Division I recruits. I’ve coached teams to undefeated seasons and national championships. It doesn’t matter who you are or what level you play I will spend the time with you to help develop in a sport you enjoy playing.

Owner | Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina

My volleyball career began over 30 years ago when I was introduced to the sport during high school. While also involved in soccer and tennis, I developed a stronger passion for volleyball and pursued it as my main sport. Volleyball quickly became an essential part of my life, teaching me countless lessons about life and teamwork. I have continued to play since, both at the college and adult level. After high school, I attended the University of Kansas and played men’s club volleyball, as one of the only freshmen to be placed on the team. During my time at the University of Kansas, I also worked with the women’s volleyball team for three years. Working under two tremendous coaches, I was allowed to be involved in drills and coordinate some of the practices for the team. Learning from coaches at the college level was a great experience, because I saw firsthand what it took for someone to play at the collegiate level. This was incorporated into my style of coaching, knowing what it takes to make it to the next level, but also realizing that the sport of volleyball is just a game, we play not only to compete but to have FUN. It has equipped me with the capability to prepare athletes with the necessary techniques to excel not only in high school, but also to exceed and play post high school. I have used this experience and incorporated it into my style of coaching, to train the younger athletes I have coached in both high school and club.

In 2003 I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity that allowed me to get back into the coaching realm at one of the high schools in the Chicagoland area coaching both boys and girls. After 7 years being an assistant coach, I took over as the Boys Varsity coach at another high school. However, I stepped down after 4 seasons (in 2017) for family and as Lebron said, took my talents to Charleston, SC (relocating in August 2018), where I am currently the head Varsity coach at James Island Charter High school. This is a new chapter in life and plan to take all I have learned from my days in the Chicagoland area and apply those with the athletes that I am lucky enough to coach down in the Charleston area.

I’ve been coaching at the club level since 2007, working with both boys and girls from ages 13-18. I have enjoyed every year thus far and look forward to every future team I’ll have the opportunity to coach, as I am able to share my knowledge and passion for volleyball, allowing me to give back to the sport that has given me so much.

Club Director | South Carolina

I love the game of volleyball and passing on knowledge to the new generations. The opportunity to coach is something I take very seriously. I like to ensure that we, as a team, are holding everyone to highest standards of being a good teammate and a good person. It is always my goal to ensure every player is better tomorrow than they were yesterday. That is only accomplished through hard work, dedication and discipline, to not only yourself but the team and club organization.

I am a true believer you need to teach the “game” of volleyball along with the technical skills required to play. I spend time with my athletes teaching the tactical aspects of the game in an effort to increase their overall volleyball IQ. Understanding the game makes the game easier to play as it slows it down to a manageable pace. This becomes crucial as players become older and start playing at the higher levels.

Along with tactical and technical skill development I push the athletes to learn how to self-motivate, control their emotions, manage their time and put the team before themselves. These are lifelong skills which can be used beyond athletics and something I believe needs to be taught. These are the intangibles which sometimes helps you not only achieve your goals but look beyond them and continue setting new ones.

I’ve coached beginner level players through Varsity level. It doesn’t matter who you are or what level you play I will spend the time with you to help develop in a sport you enjoy playing.

Club Director | Arizona

My passion for volleyball started the summer after 7th grade, thanks to my older sister taking me to her high school summer camp. Since then, I’ve been playing and coaching the sport I love for over 20 years. At 15 and 16, I was part of two AAU National Championship teams, and I still participate in adult tournaments and USAV adult nationals whenever possible with the same group of friends I grew up playing with.

I began my coaching career thanks to my former varsity head coach, Edward Wrather, who is now the assistant coach at Fort Valley State University. He hired me as the JV coach for both the boys’ and girls’ programs, mentoring me for two years. After his retirement, I took over the varsity program. Since then, I’ve coached at multiple high schools and clubs throughout Lake County.

As a coach, I ask three things from my athletes: effort, discipline, and fun. If you apply these three principles to anything in life, you’re bound to succeed.

Volleyball Experience

• 10 years of high school coaching (JV-Varsity)
• 8 years of club coaching (15-18s)
• Club volleyball player
• 2 AAU National Championships

Volleyball has been a huge part of my life, both as a player and a coach, and I’m excited to join Top Flight to continue growing and teaching this sport that I love and have dedicated so many years to.

Help us in welcoming Omar to the Top Flight Family!

Assistant Club Manager & College Recruiting Coordinator | Illinois