Former US Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Millar was hired as the 14th head coach in Eastern Illinois volleyball history. Millar is considered one of the greatest middle blockers the United States has ever produced in volleyball. He had a playing career that stretched 15 years as a member of the USA Men's National Team including three Olympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008). In 2008 he helped lead Team USA to the Olympic Gold, the first for the USA in men's volleyball in 20 years.
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as 14th head coach in EIU volleyball program history on February 27, 2025
* Became third head coach in EIU beach volleyball history
* Will coach first season for volleyball for the 2025 season
* Will enter second season for beach volleyball for 2026 season
* Coached beach volleyball program to first ever OVC Tournament win with 3-1 win over Morehead State in 2025
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Served as associate head coach at San Diego Miramar College for three seasons
* Helped coach men's program to back-to-back Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championships
* Helped coach team that posted back-to-back Top 5 CCCCA ranking
* Interim head coach for BYU men's program for 2007 season, team posted 24-6 record
* Assistant coach at BYU in 2006
Personal
* Played college volleyball at Brigham Young University
* NCAA Player of the Year in 1999
* 15 year member of USA Men's National Team
* Member of three US Olympic Team (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008)
* Member 2008 US Olympic Gold Medal Winning Team
* On the world level played in four World Cups, three World Championships, five World League Finals, four Olympic Qualifiers
* Played 12 professional seasons in Italy, Turkey, Poland, Russia and Puerto Rico
* 2007 USA Volleyball Indoor Male Player of the Year
* 2023 Inducted into USA Volleyball Hall of Fame / BUY Hall of Fame in 2009
* Bachelor's degree from BYU in 2001
* Master's degree from Keller School of Graduate Management in 2022
* Has run Next Level Volleyball Camps for more than 15 years
* Professional Speaker that founded Gold Medal Mindset Consulting Company in 2018
* Senior Partner with Culture Partners for ten years.
* He and his wife Jackie reside in San Diego, California
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| School |
Year |
Overall |
Conference |
Other |
| Men's Volleyball |
|
|
|
|
| BYU |
2007 |
24-6 |
18-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
. |
| Women's Volleyball |
|
|
|
|
| Eastern Illinois |
2025 |
--- |
--- |
|
|
|
|
|
. |
| Beach Volleyball |
|
|
|
|
| Eastern Illinois |
2025 |
1-12 |
0-10 |
|
