Returning for his second season with Miami is assistant coach Brian Netzler. Netzler came to the RedHawks after spending three seasons as the top assistant at Austin Peay.
“Brian came to Miami highly recommended due to his passion for the sport and his drive to help student-athletes reach their full potential,” said head coach Carolyn Condit. “He is a versatile court trainer who brings with him excellent experience in both recruiting and scouting.”
Netzler played a key role in helping the RedHawks earn their second straight Mid-American Conference regular season championship and their first MAC Tournament championship since 2007. Netzler coached the Miami defense during the 2017 season as it held opponents to a .175 attack percentage. Under his tutelage, senior Maeve McDonald shattered the RedHawks’ single-season dig record, finishing with 676 on the season.
While with the Governors, Netzler worked with all aspects of the program. He was the recruiting coordinator, planning and corresponding with all future student-athletes. He helped design and run specific skill and team drills and was responsible for scouting future opponents. Austin Peay advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in 2014 and 2016. In 2017, with Netzler’s help, the Governors finished 24-11, the fifth-most improved team in all of NCAA Division I. Prior to leaving, he helped start Austin Peay’s first beach volleyball program.
Prior to his time at APSU, Netzler spent a season as a volunteer assistant at Ole Miss. He also was an assistant coach at Grand Valley State from 2009-13. While there he worked with the middle hitters and also focused heavily on the team’s blocking strategy. The Lakers reached the NCAA Division II Elite Eight after winning the Midwest Regional in 2010. Netzler coached at the Michigan Volleyball Academy from 2007-14, helping numerous athletes receive scholarships at the Division I and II levels.
Netzler is a 2009 graduate of Grand Valley State where he earned his bachelor’s degree in movement science. While in school he founded the GVSU men’s club volleyball program and led them to their first conference championship. He married to the former Rachel Green in May 2018.
