Missouri Valley College Hires Sanchez as Head Men’s Coach

Courtesy: Missouri Valley College Athletics

MARSHALL, Mo. –  Missouri Valley College Athletic Director Tom Fifer announces the hiring of Omar A. Sanchez as the new head coach for the Viking men’s volleyball program.

Sanchez comes to Missouri Valley after spending time as a volunteer assistant coach with Lewis (Ill.) University’s NCAA Division I men’s volleyball team from 2015-17, while also coaching boys and girls volleyball at Providence Catholic (Ill.) High School from 2015-18.  Sanchez also spent one season on the volleyball coaching staff at NCAA Division I Indiana University in 2015, helping the team to a 16-16 record with two tournament championships.  His primary role at Indiana was serve and block skill development, film breakdown, creating scouting reports and recruiting coordinator assistant.  From 2013-15, Sanchez served as an assistant on the Grand View (Iowa) University staff, helping the program to a 48-12 overall record with two conference championship and two National semifinal appearances.  Sanchez also spent a decade, from 2008-18, as a coach at the Ultimate Volleyball club, coaching boys and girls youth teams ranging from 5-18 years of age.

“I feel very fortunate and blessed to have gotten this opportunity to lead the Missouri Valley men’s volleyball program,” said Sanchez.  “I would like to thank Athletic Director Tom Fifer for giving me this opportunity, as being a head coach is something that I’ve aspired towards my whole life.  I’m looking forward to what’s ahead, and continuing to build on the accomplishments that were made this past season.”

Sanchez started his collegiate playing career at Quincy (Ill.) University from 2007-08 before transferring to Lewis from 2009-12, and helped the team advance to the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball National Semifinals.  He graduated from Lewis in 2012 with a degree in sports management.

“I am very happy that Omar has decided to become our next men’s volleyball head coach,” said Fifer.  “I feel very confident that Omar will bring a new level of enthusiasm and excitement to both the men’s and women’s volleyball programs.”

Sanchez replaces Collin Cohen, who was head coach for the men’s volleyball program during the 2018 season.  The team finished with a 10-10 record and advanced to the championship game of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament.