Tuesday, April 5, 2016

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University Executive Director of Athletics Barbara Dearing announced today the hiring of Tommy Gott as the new women's volleyball head coach at WOU.

"We were fortunate to have had a significant applicant pool from which to choose our next head coach," Dearing said. "Tommy is a rising star in this profession and we feel fortunate to have him lead our women's volleyball program. He brings passion with energy, work ethic, a high-level of character and a real vision of what this program can accomplish. From his coaching experiences he has formed a philosophy on and off the court that seeks to provide a balance among academic excellence, athletics competition, and social growth that we believe will be a great fit for our student-athletes, department, and university."
 
Gott assisted the Wildcat volleyball program and head coach Cody Hein in the program's recruiting efforts, coordination of the team's defensive game plans, handling of video breakdown and editing, travel arrangement and logistics, organizing fundraisers, and serving as the assistant director for all Chico State volleyball summer camps.
 
"I am very honored and excited to be joining Western Oregon University's athletic department as the head women's volleyball coach," Gott said. "I am excited to become a part of a university that has a historic and successful background in intercollegiate athletics. I would like to thank Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Barbara Dearing, Dr. Rex Fuller and the search committee for this opportunity. I would also like to thank Chico State University, its Athletic Director Anita Barker and Head Volleyball Coach Cody Hein for everything I have learned over the years; this current opportunity presented would not be possible without them and countless others. I will forever cherish my time spent as a Wildcat but look forward to the future, becoming a Wolf and running with the pack!"
 
A native of Chico, Calif., Gott prepped at Chico High School and then played two seasons at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif. While playing middle blocker at Golden West, he helped the Rustlers to a state tournament runner-up finish at the 2009 California Community College Men's Volleyball Championship.
 
Gott attended Chico State from 2009-2012, where he earned a bachelor degree in kinesiology while assisting the volleyball program. He completed his teaching credential in physical education in May 2013 at Chico State and his master's degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington in June 2014.
 
Gott has additionally helped out with high schools and club teams during his time in Southern California. While at Chico State, Gott was the head coach of the women's club volleyball team and has been a camp counselor/supervisor for the summer program at Stanford University since July 2012.
 
"Going forward, I envision the volleyball team at Western Oregon being a tough competitor in the GNAC. My hopes are that fans and opponents alike will see our style of a fast pace, ball control team on the court with a relentless attitude always on display," Gott added.