Vilis Ozols was named the seventh head coach in Siena Volleyball history on Feb. 12, 2018. Ozols enters his fourth year with the Saints in 2021 after spending five seasons as the head coach at Niagara University.
Ozols helped guide the Saints to a seven-win improvement from his first year at the helm in 2018 to 2019, putting up an 11-18 record. In his first three years, Ozols also established a strong presence in the classroom with the Saints earning the United States Marine Corps/American Volleyball Coaches Association for its academic excellence, which is bestowed on teams whose grade point average is 3.30 or greater the last two years.
Prior to his time in Loudonville, Ozols led Niagara to MAAC Tournament berths in each of his final four seasons at the helm, while posting a 42-30 (.583) record in league action during that time. Over his five seasons on Monteagle Ridge, he recruited and developed three-time MAAC Libero of the Year Rylee Hunt -- who ranked third nationally averaging 6.17 digs per set in 2017 -- seven All-MAAC selections, and six MAAC All-Rookie Team honorees.
In 2017, Ozols piloted the Purple Eagles to the fourth highest overall win total and third most conference victories in the program's 40-year history. Niagara was victorious in 17 of its final 22 matches to secure its highest win total in six years in posting an 18-10 overall record. The Purple Eagles finished second in the MAAC with a 14-4 league mark, and were heralded with two First Team All-MAAC, one Second Team, and two All-Rookie Team selections.
Ozols guided Niagara to .500 or better finishes in conference play in each of his last four years, and propelled the Purple Eagles to a MAAC Semifinals appearance in 2015. In just his second year at the helm in 2014, Ozols orchestrated a 10-win improvement which marked the 10th best turnaround in the nation.
Ozols previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Wyoming (2011-12), following a brief stint as a volunteer assistant at the University of Colorado (2011). Ozols helped guide the Cowgirls to consecutive 21-11 seasons during his two years in Laramie, where his defensive schemes helped place Wyoming second nationally in blocks per set in 2012.
A nearly 25-year resident of Denver, Colorado, Ozols first entered the coaching ranks leading Mullen High School from 2007-10. He amassed an 81-29 (.736) overall record, while guiding the Mustangs to four consecutive top-10 finishes in the State of Colorado. He coached Mullen to a second place state finish and District Championship in 2008, and propelled the program to a third place state finish and the first Centennial League Conference Championship in the school's 66-year history in 2009.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Ozols is a 1985 graduate of the University of Guelph with his B.S. in Food Science. A three-time Conference MVP and four-time First Team All-Conference selection, he was inducted into the University of Guelph Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Ozols was a member of the Canadian National Junior Team from 1977-79, earning a Silver Medal at the NORCECA World Championships Qualifying Tournament. He later played professionally on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.
Ozols earned his MBA in Marketing from the University of Colorado at Denver in 1992. He founded the Ozols Business Group in 1993, and is a world class motivational speaker who has presented to audiences on three continents, including nine countries, and all 50 U.S. states. Ozols has authored three business books, numerous audio and video programs, and is a frequent contributor to magazine and trade publication articles.
Ozols is the proud father of four children, and he and his wife Karon currently reside in nearby East Greenbush.
