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The coach who helped Missouri Valley College become a top-10 nationally ranked NAIA program will now take over at one of the premier ConfCarolinas men’s volleyball programs.
Mount Olive announced on Friday that it hired Omar Sanchez to be its new head coach.
Sanchez spent the last four years as the head coach at Missouri Valley and guided the team in 2021 to an appearance in the NAIA Tournament and the No. 7 ranking in the NAIA national coaches poll. The 2021 Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year also led Missouri Valley to double-digit wins in every season with the team.
“I am extremely grateful and humbled by the opportunity Athletic Director Joey Higginbotham and the University of Mount Olive have provided me to run the men’s volleyball program,” Sanchez in a statement. “Having the platform to mold young men into positive contributors to our society is a tremendous honor. I look forward to getting to work both on and off the court.”
Before arriving at Missouri Valley, Sanchez spent time as an assistant coach with both the Indiana women’s volleyball team and Grand View.
Sanchez during his college playing career spent two seasons with Quincy before transferring to Lewis. In addition, Sanchez was a part of the Flyers in 2012 when they won the MIVA championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Mount Olive is attempting to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
The Trojans in 2021 won the conference regular season championship but were upset in the ConfCarolinas Tournament finals. The team also lost in the ConfCarolinas Tournament finals last season.
Sanchez replaces former head coach Ali’i Keohohou, who departed in the offseason to become an assistant coach with Loyola.