Meet Our New Lead Coach Mentor: Ron Smith
Diablo Valley Volleyball Club is excited to welcome Ron Smith back to the club as our new Lead Coach Mentor.
Ron returns to Diablo with more than 16 years of coaching experience and a lifelong connection to the program that helped launch his volleyball career. His passion for developing athletes, mentoring coaches, and building competitive, team-first environments has made him one of the most respected coaches in the region. In this new leadership role, Ron will work closely with our coaching staff to support coach development, strengthen our club-wide philosophy, and help ensure every Diablo athlete receives an exceptional training experience.
Throughout his coaching career, Ron has guided athletes and teams to success at the highest levels of club volleyball. He has coached multiple National Championship qualifiers and helped numerous athletes continue their volleyball careers at the collegiate level. His impact extends well beyond the players he has coached, with several former athletes going on to become successful coaches themselves, including at the NCAA Division I level.
Ron is no stranger to Diablo. As a player, he competed on Diablo’s 18-1 team during the 2001–2002 season, helping the team finish as the No. 1-ranked team in the NCVA. His outstanding play earned him one of just four spots on the NCVA All-League Team that year.
He continued his playing career at Newman University, where he established himself as one of the nation’s top middle blockers. Ron led the NAIA in blocks per game for two consecutive seasons, helped lead Newman to the 2004 NAIA National Championship match, and was later inducted into the Newman University Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments.
Ron also previously spent three seasons coaching at Diablo and was a member of the historic 2014 Girls 18s coaching staff that earned the first Girls National Championship bid in club history. Returning to Diablo is a true full-circle moment, and one that carries special meaning as he helps shape the future of the program where his own volleyball journey began.
As Lead Coach Mentor, Ron will play an integral role in supporting our coaching staff through mentorship, education, and collaboration while continuing to uphold the standards of excellence that define Diablo Volleyball Club. His wealth of experience, passion for teaching, and commitment to developing both athletes and coaches make him an incredible addition to our leadership team.
We are thrilled to welcome Ron back to the Diablo family and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our coaches, athletes, and the future of our club.
Coaching Highlights
- 16+ years of coaching experience
- Coached multiple National Championship qualifiers and bid-winning teams
- 2025 PNQ 16 Liberty Division Champion
- 2025 WCVBA Winter Classic 16 Open Champion
- 2025 WCVBA President’s Day 18 Open Champion
- 2025 WCVBA President’s Day 16 Open Champion
- 2024 PNQ 16 Liberty Division Champion
- 2024 WCVBA President’s Day 16 Open Champion
- Helped numerous athletes continue their volleyball careers at the collegiate level
- Former players have gone on to coach at the NCAA Division I level
- Member of the coaching staff for Diablo’s first Girls National Championship bid (2014)
- Former Diablo Valley Volleyball Club 18-1 player and NCVA All-League selection (2001–2002)
- Inductee, Newman University Athletics Hall of Fame
