The coach of men's and now women's volleyball is Ryan Windisch

Posted: Jun 30, 2020

Irvine Valley Dean and Athletic Director Keith Shackleford was proud to announce this week that former Laser standout player and current men's volleyball head coach Ryan Windisch will take over the IVC women's indoor program at the college.

Irvine Valley legendary women's coach Tom Pestolesi, who has spent 21 years coaching at the college, retired last week as a full-time facutly member and stepped down from women's indoor duties. Pestolesi will be an assistant on Windisch's staff for the upcoming season and will continue to coach the women's beach program next spring.

"Replacing an iconic coach like Pesto is almost impossible," Shackleford said of Pestolesi, who won six state championship total in men's, women's and beach volleyball at IVC. "Intercollegiate athletics has changed immeasurably, but it is precisely why we are so happy to have Ryan (Windisch) guiding the women's indoor program.

"Having a Laser alum return to IVC on Pesto's staff a few years ago allowed him to study and grow as a coach. Pesto gave him significant latitude as part of the country's best holistic volleyball programs - with men's, women's and beach - and Ryan is incredibly well-prepared to lead our student-athletes into a new era."

Windisch, who has been the head coach of the Irvine Valley men's team the last two seasons and an assistant coach with the women's team since 2017, is ready for the challenge.

"The main reason that I wanted to get into coaching at the junior college level was because of Tom (Pestolesi)," Windisch said. "I still remember taking my recruiting trip to IVC when I was 18 and the way he talked to me is still the way he talks to kids now.

"His genuine passion for each and every player is remarkable. Since coming to work with him in 2017 he has taught me countless things. The most important ones are all more like life lessons, rather than anything to do with volleyball.

"His thoughts and values have left a huge imprint on me and will stay with me throughout my entire coaching career. I am blessed to be able to be a part of the past few years under and really get to see what it goes into building a program's culture as prominent as Irvine Valley's has been.

"Pesto is an absolute legend in the volleyball community but an even bigger one in Orange County. I think that I can speak for every single player that has come through the program, we are forever grateful to be coached by him."

But Windisch, himself, has already strived at Irvine Valley.

He has been a top assistant with the women's program the last three years and was a big part on the coaching staff of three straight CCCAA state championship appearances, including an undefeated IVC season and state title in 2017. It was Irvine Valley's second state title in program history.

"Pesto tells me that not much is changing except that now you are the one that gets to carry all of the stress," Windisch said. "This is exactly how it feels. But, I am excited to step into the head coaching position and I believe that Pesto and the teams that I have been a part of for the past three seasons (on the women's side) have prepared me to make this a very smooth transition."

His men's teams the last two years have also been very strong. After taking over the men's program before the 2019 season, he led the Lasers to a runner-up finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship. His top player from this past season, Demetre Gossett (Vanguard University signee) was recently named Irvine Valley's male athlete of the year for 2019-20.

"The past two seasons have been great heading up the men's side of the IVC volleyball program," Windisch said. "We were fortunate to have a great run in my first year and we were hoping for another memorable one this season before it was cut short.

"The boys are hungry and ready to get back in the gym and I cannot wait to get back to work as well with that group."

Windisch spent the 2018 season as the head coach for the Golden West College men's volleyball team. He was an assistant coach and statistical/video coordinator for the 2017 Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program.

In 2017, he completed his Sports Management/Kinesiology degree at Long Beach State.

During his time both playing and coaching at Long Beach State and Irvine Valley, he studied under the guidance of highly regarded coaches such as Alan Knipe (USA Men's National Team coach for the 2012 Olympics), Pestolesi, Tyler Hildebrand (Men's Beach Volleyball coach for 2016 Olympics) and Andy Read.

Throughout his career, Windisch has held numerous head and assistant coaching positions in boys and girls high school and club programs since 2011, including Long Beach Volleyball Club; Servite High School, Balboa Bay Volleyball Club, Saddleback Volleyball Club, Rosary High School and Cornelia Connelly High School.

His playing career is also extensive.

He played at Long Beach State from 2012-2015 and served as the starting libero in 2015.

During his Long Beach State tenure, the team earned bids each year to the MPSF conference tournament, including beating the eventual national champion UC Irvine in the semifinals of the 2013 tournament.

Prior to Long Beach State, he played one season (2011-12) at Irvine Valley and was one of the team's leaders in digs. He was instrumental in the team making an unexpected playoff run.

Windisch, a Servite High graduate, played club volleyball at Highline Volleyball Club winning a Bronze Medal in the 18s Open Division at the 2011 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals. He played high school volleyball at Servite High School and helped build what is now one of the top high school programs in California. Windisch was also an accomplished beach volleyball player.

He was selected to the USA Volleyball Elite Development Program and played throughout the U.S. in numerous professional tournaments.

"Anyone who has been a part of IVC volleyball knows that the relationship between our men's and women's programs have been amazing," Windisch said about the care, responsibility and chemistry that the Irvine Valley programs aim for every year.

"It has always been second to none. This is all thanks to Pesto and I can't wait to keep it going. He has paved the way for me to step in and continue the great volleyball culture at Irvine Valley.

"Without IVC I would have never reached my goal as a player. And now being able to step in as the head coach for both indoor programs is amazing. Irvine Valley Volleyball has provided so much to me both as a player and now as a coach. I hope that I am able to provide just as much back into it."

Women's Volleyball

The coach of men's and now women's volleyball is Ryan Windisch