Juan Diego's Todd Holzhauser named High School Volleyball Coach of the Year

Courtesy photo/Shooting Stars Photography

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Todd Holzhauser

DRAPER — Todd Holzhauser was named the Utah High School Volleyball Coach of the Year by the Utah Volleyball Coaches Association at the Senior All-Star Showcase at Salt Lake Community College Nov. 17.

Holzhauser, a member of Saint Thomas More Parish, has been Juan Diego Catholic High School’s head volleyball coach for over a year and has assisted with the program for five years. Holzhauser also coached one of the all-star teams at the Showcase, which included players from Davis, Rich, Bountiful, Parawon, Skyline and Juan Diego high schools.

Juan Diego senior Jessika Long, a setter, was on Holzhauser’s team which won its all-star match. Long was the Juan Diego Player of the Year this year; she had 81 aces and other school records.

Holzhauser’s award was based on his team record, the talent of the team, and his community involvement, he said. "The Juan Diego volleyball team record this year was 23-9, which was the best record in the school’s history."

The great thing about the award Holzhauser was given "is that he was selected by his fellow coaches," said Chris Long, Juan Diego athletic director. "They have respect for him and his abilities. Not only that, but it is how they view him as a colleague. They like how he deals with other coaches, his own team, and that speaks volumes when your colleagues say you are the best at what you are doing."

Holzhauser enjoyed his coaching experience in the All-Star Showcase, he said. "I didn’t know what to expect, this was the first time I had been asked to coach. I was surprised at how quiet it was in the gym during the game. The girls didn’t know each other and it was a little odd to watch. So during one of the breaks I took them in the hallway and told them it’s so dead in there it’s not going to be any fun to play like that, and they agreed. So we decided to celebrate every great dig, every great hit and they took that to heart and had a good time and turned it into an exciting match. They got comfortable playing with each other and we killed the other team in the final match."

Holzhauser also helps hold clinics for the Parish Athletic Recreation Association volleyball teams, which he said is a good way to teach the younger children the sport’s skills and techniques.

"I love coaching," said Holzhauser. "There is something about working with kids from a Catholic school that makes it easy to meld teams that work together really well. Even if they are not Catholic, they are in that environment, so they already start off with healthy respect for each other. The teachers, staff and the athletic director all understand that we are not just there to win athletic events, but we are balancing faith, family and education with athletics."

Holzhauser credits his coaching staff for his success, he said. "Kristie Long has been the assistant coach for about 10 years, and she knows so much about the game," he said. "It is just a joy working with her."

"Todd is awesome to work with," said Kristie Long, who in addition to being the assistant coach is Jessika Long’s mother. "Todd cares about the kids and always puts their best interests first; he tries to do whatever he can to help them succeed."

Holzhauser took volleyball classes at Stanford University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in product design.

Originally from Seattle, he moved with his family to Utah in 1999.