Meet Coach Crouch & the Staff (video)

PORTLAND, Ore. --- First-year volleyball head coach Brent Crouch has completed his staff with the additions of assistants Nate Ngo and Nellie Coleman. Most recently Ngo worked on the University of Nebraska women's volleyball staff, while Coleman has been a member of the U.S. National Team since 2008 and spent the past five years playing professionally.
 
"I am thrilled to have both Nate and Nellie join the UP volleyball family," Crouch said. "They are both fantastic people who bring complementary personalities and strengths to our staff and team. Between the three of us, I think we're in a great position to launch Portland volleyball in a positive direction. I've loved the energy out on the court in just the few practices we have all had together."
 
Ngo (pronounced 'go') spent the past two and a half years as Nebraska's Graduate Manager, while earning a Master's of Science in statistics. With the Cornhuskers, he was responsible for video breakdown and statistical analysis, while also assisting in practices. He helped the Cornhuskers, one of the top collegiate programs in the country, claim a Big Ten title in 2011. While in Nebraska, Ngo was also a head coach for VC Nebraska.
 
"I am very grateful to coach Crouch and the University of Portland for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Portland volleyball program," said Ngo. "I look forward to working alongside Brent and Nellie to develop a program that places a strong emphasis on educating and mentoring the whole person, not just student-athletes."
 
In 2010, Ngo graduated from Cal Poly, where he was a volunteer assistant coach for the Mustangs. Cal Poly claimed a Big West Conference Championship in both 2006 and 2007. Ngo was also head coach of the Cal Poly women's volleyball club team, leading the team to a 2010 NCVF DI National Championship. He was also named the NCCVL Coach of the Year in 2009.
 
Originally from San Francisco, Calif., Ngo also spent time as the Technical Coordinator of the SVS Post Volleyball Club in Vienna, Austria. He was also the Technical Coordinator for the U.S. Women's National Team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Pan Am Cup. Ngo served in the same role for the Junior National Team last summer at the U-20 World Championship in Brno, Czech Republic.
 
Additionally, Ngo was the VIS (Volleyball Information System) supervisor at various USA Volleyball Events, including the 2009 Women's Pan Am Cup, multiple weekends of FIVB World League in 2010 and 2011, and the NORCECA Men's Olympic Qualifier in 2012.
 
"Nate is an expert volleyball statistician, working at the highest levels with USA Volleyball and in international professional leagues," added Crouch. "The work he is already doing from statistical analysis to developing new effective ways to use video in practice for teaching is phenomenal. Most importantly, he is an attentive and effective teacher and a great human being."
 
Coleman followed an All-American career as a setter at UCLA (2005-09) with a five-year stint on the U.S. Women's National Team. With Team USA, Coleman helped claimed a bronze medal at the 2011 Pan American Cup, a silver at the Montreux Volley Masters in 2010, a gold at the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix and a silver at the 2009 Final Four Intercontinental Cup. Coleman also took part in exhibition tours with Team USA in Brazil (2010), Egypt (2009) and China (2008).
 
"It is an absolute honor and privilege to become a full-time member of the University of Portland volleyball staff," said Coleman. "I am excited with the direction of this program and I look forward to getting to work for the 2014 season. I would like to thank coach Brent and the University of Portland administration for giving me this opportunity to give back to the sport that has given so much to me."
 
A native of Barrington, Ill., Coleman has played professionally for the past five years, most recently with the Shanghai Volleyball Club in the Chinese Volleyball Association. Before that, she played two years in the Azerbaijan Volleyball League for both the Lokomotiv and Rabita Baku Volleyball Clubs. She helped Rabita Baku claim a league title and finish fifth in the Champions League in 2012. Prior to that, Coleman spent a year playing pro in Poland and a year playing in Puerto Rico.
 
At UCLA, Coleman, who was then Nellie Spicer, was a three-time AVCA First Team All-American. She was also a three-time all-region selection, landed on the All-Pac-10 Team four times and was named to the league's all-freshman team in 2005. She finished her career ranked second all-time at UCLA with 6,000 assists and third in digs with 1,299 and she helped lead the Bruins to a Final Four appearance as a sophomore in 2006. UCLA reached the NCAA's Elite Eight in 2007 and made it to the Sweet 16 during Coleman's senior campaign in 2008.
 
Coleman, who holds the Illinois state high school record for most aces in a season (106), also participated on the U.S. Women's Junior National Team that competed at the FIVB Women's Junior World Championship. She also helped the U.S. Women's Junior National Team to the gold medal at the NORCECA Women's Junior Continental Championship.
 
"Nellie has played volleyball in some of the best gyms at every level," Crouch said of Coleman, who also has extensive experience coaching at the youth level. "She knows what it takes to be successful and she is a tremendous role model for our young women. I have already learned a great deal from her."