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.