MSU Head Volleyball Coach JJ Riley
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Riley Introduced as 10th Montana State Head Volleyball Coach
1/23/2015 3:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Over 50 administrators, Bobcat coaches, staff, boosters and volleyball players greeted Riley with a standing ovation as he takes over a Montana State program that went 7-21 overall and 4-12 in the Big Sky Conference this past season.
Former University of Utah volleyball assistant coach JJ Riley was officially introduced to the Montana State faithful, Friday morning at a press conference in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Over 50 administrators, Bobcat coaches, staff, boosters and volleyball players greeted Riley with a standing ovation as he takes over a Montana State program that went 7-21 overall and 4-12 in the Big Sky Conference this past season.
"Throughout the process of hiring a volleyball coach, JJ's name kept rising to the top," Montana State Director of Athletics Peter Fields said. "Words and phrases like genuine, knowledgeable, family man, team chemistry, great fit for our program, teacher and overall good person were used to describe him. He has enjoyed success at each stage of his volleyball career and has been mentored by Hall of Fame coaches.
"In addition, JJ has a tremendous reputation as a teacher of the game and recruiter," Fields said. "Growing up with volleyball in Hawai'i, then playing as an All-American setter at Pepperdine and coaching at the club, high school, and collegiate levels is a tremendous benefit as he begins his new role as head coach at Montana State."
Riley and wife Emily have two sons, Rex 2, and Nash, who was born last week. In between looking for housing, moving and meeting with different MSU constituencies, he expects to take to the court with his new team on Feb. 2.
Riley had an opportunity to sit down for a quick Q & A on Friday afternoon.
Q. You've been in Bozeman for 24-hours; sum up your initial thoughts on getting up and running?
A. It's been great driving around and looking at all the places and getting a feel for the community. I love it. It's got a great vibe and feels comfortable already, feels like home, which is nice. I have a lot more to see, but it's been great so far.
Q. You've had an opportunity to meet with your team. What are your initial thoughts, and where do you go from here?
A. Meeting with the team was great. Their spirits are high, they're motivated and they are focused. They want to move on and want to get this thing started. So, obviously, the first thing is to getting here full time and then getting into the gym and figuring out what level we're at and what needs to be improved on. The first week will be more team practice to focus on all of them, and then we will get back to individuals the second week to hone in on some skill sets to get better at. They're ready to go and are excited."
Q. In the office, what are some of the priorities you will have to get to?
A. Scheduling is a big one and trying to lock in the preseason out-of-conference schedule. Then recruiting and figuring out where we are at and scholarships available and getting in touch with the three athletes coming in this fall. That's pretty much the two biggest things I have to tackle right now.
Q. Any chance of bringing any more kids in this spring?
A. At this moment, no. Talking with the team, they are pretty tight, and if we can keep that going, I kind of think that is the focus right now. And, then we need to focus on the new athletes coming in this fall. My main priority is keeping this team together and not trying to rock the boat by bringing anyone new in right now.
Q. Being at Utah the past three years, what can you take from that experience as you transition into a head coaching role?
A. So much. I've learned a tremendous amount from Beth Launiere, the head coach, and her wisdom and years of being there. All the way from coaching, teaching to running a business. One of the biggest things I've taken away from her is getting athletes to believe and compete at the highest level possible. On top of that, I have learned a tremendous amount from that program and it's kind of hard to put into words in a short amount of time.
Q. Going back farther you have been with the Who's Who of coaches in the greater Malibu area. What do you take away from Hall of Fame coaches like Marv Dunphy and Nina Matthies?
A. Their volleyball knowledge and accolades speak for themselves. They are two Hall of Fame coaches that you can't argue with. The big thing with them is just the way they treated players and the way they acted every day. They are great role models. They were consistent in teaching to their beliefs. They lived what they believed in, and that is powerful.
Favorite Movie: All of the Rocky movies – eye of the tiger.
Favorite TV Shows: My wife and I like to watch the Blacklist. And, obviously, Hawai'i 5-0, got to stay loyal to them. But now with two kids, we don't watch much television.
Favorite Sports Team: I don't have one. Growing up in the islands there weren't any professional sports so I never identified with a team. I was always outside playing and doing things.
What do you like to do for fun: Family, obviously. I like to snowboard, ride dirt bikes, mountain bike, and anything outdoors. I like to be outside playing.
Where would you tell a Bozemanite the best place to go in Hawai'i for vacation: There are the traditional places like Maui, Kaua'i and O'ahu, but I think the Big Island of Hawai'i, especially Kona is kind of an untapped gem. It's the real, old school tradition Hawaiian feel. It's not over-developed. If you want to go for R&R go to the big island. It's a little off the beaten path. You can't go wrong anywhere.
Over 50 administrators, Bobcat coaches, staff, boosters and volleyball players greeted Riley with a standing ovation as he takes over a Montana State program that went 7-21 overall and 4-12 in the Big Sky Conference this past season.
"Throughout the process of hiring a volleyball coach, JJ's name kept rising to the top," Montana State Director of Athletics Peter Fields said. "Words and phrases like genuine, knowledgeable, family man, team chemistry, great fit for our program, teacher and overall good person were used to describe him. He has enjoyed success at each stage of his volleyball career and has been mentored by Hall of Fame coaches.
"In addition, JJ has a tremendous reputation as a teacher of the game and recruiter," Fields said. "Growing up with volleyball in Hawai'i, then playing as an All-American setter at Pepperdine and coaching at the club, high school, and collegiate levels is a tremendous benefit as he begins his new role as head coach at Montana State."
Riley and wife Emily have two sons, Rex 2, and Nash, who was born last week. In between looking for housing, moving and meeting with different MSU constituencies, he expects to take to the court with his new team on Feb. 2.
Riley had an opportunity to sit down for a quick Q & A on Friday afternoon.
Q. You've been in Bozeman for 24-hours; sum up your initial thoughts on getting up and running?
A. It's been great driving around and looking at all the places and getting a feel for the community. I love it. It's got a great vibe and feels comfortable already, feels like home, which is nice. I have a lot more to see, but it's been great so far.
Q. You've had an opportunity to meet with your team. What are your initial thoughts, and where do you go from here?
A. Meeting with the team was great. Their spirits are high, they're motivated and they are focused. They want to move on and want to get this thing started. So, obviously, the first thing is to getting here full time and then getting into the gym and figuring out what level we're at and what needs to be improved on. The first week will be more team practice to focus on all of them, and then we will get back to individuals the second week to hone in on some skill sets to get better at. They're ready to go and are excited."
Q. In the office, what are some of the priorities you will have to get to?
A. Scheduling is a big one and trying to lock in the preseason out-of-conference schedule. Then recruiting and figuring out where we are at and scholarships available and getting in touch with the three athletes coming in this fall. That's pretty much the two biggest things I have to tackle right now.
Q. Any chance of bringing any more kids in this spring?
A. At this moment, no. Talking with the team, they are pretty tight, and if we can keep that going, I kind of think that is the focus right now. And, then we need to focus on the new athletes coming in this fall. My main priority is keeping this team together and not trying to rock the boat by bringing anyone new in right now.
Q. Being at Utah the past three years, what can you take from that experience as you transition into a head coaching role?
A. So much. I've learned a tremendous amount from Beth Launiere, the head coach, and her wisdom and years of being there. All the way from coaching, teaching to running a business. One of the biggest things I've taken away from her is getting athletes to believe and compete at the highest level possible. On top of that, I have learned a tremendous amount from that program and it's kind of hard to put into words in a short amount of time.
Q. Going back farther you have been with the Who's Who of coaches in the greater Malibu area. What do you take away from Hall of Fame coaches like Marv Dunphy and Nina Matthies?
A. Their volleyball knowledge and accolades speak for themselves. They are two Hall of Fame coaches that you can't argue with. The big thing with them is just the way they treated players and the way they acted every day. They are great role models. They were consistent in teaching to their beliefs. They lived what they believed in, and that is powerful.
Favorite Movie: All of the Rocky movies – eye of the tiger.
Favorite TV Shows: My wife and I like to watch the Blacklist. And, obviously, Hawai'i 5-0, got to stay loyal to them. But now with two kids, we don't watch much television.
Favorite Sports Team: I don't have one. Growing up in the islands there weren't any professional sports so I never identified with a team. I was always outside playing and doing things.
What do you like to do for fun: Family, obviously. I like to snowboard, ride dirt bikes, mountain bike, and anything outdoors. I like to be outside playing.
Where would you tell a Bozemanite the best place to go in Hawai'i for vacation: There are the traditional places like Maui, Kaua'i and O'ahu, but I think the Big Island of Hawai'i, especially Kona is kind of an untapped gem. It's the real, old school tradition Hawaiian feel. It's not over-developed. If you want to go for R&R go to the big island. It's a little off the beaten path. You can't go wrong anywhere.
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