Player Bio: Brad Saindon

Brad Saindon begins his fifth year as the head volleyball coach at Arizona State University. Saindon has led the Sun Devils to a 43-70 record in his four seasons at the helm of the Sun Devils and has quickly rebuilt the program into an annual contender for and within the NCAA Tournament.

Absent from the college coaching ranks for six years prior to starting his tenure at ASU, Saindon brings a wealth of international and college coaching experience to the sidelines.

Saindon's first four seasons in Tempe has had some memorable highlights, including Natalie Harris finishing fifth in the conference in kills per game (3.95) while earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention in 2003 and Colette Meek, Sydney Donahue and Rachel Mittelstaedt earning All-Pac-10 Freshman honors in 2004. Last season, Donahue set a new ASU record by recording 628 digs during the season, and looks this year to break the all-time Pac-10 digs record. He also became only the second coach in ASU volleyball history to defeat rival Arizona in his first try. The landmark 3-2 victory over the Wildcats on Sept. 26, 2003 came in dramatic come-from-behind fashion after trailing 2-0 before prevailing 26-30, 23-30, 30-24, 36-34, 15-10. His 2006 season proved another step of progress in the many his career has enjoyed as the Sun Devils returned to the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Second Round before falling to the seventh-ranked Florida Gators.

Prior to starting at ASU, Saindon was an assistant coach with the USA Men's National Volleyball Team under head coach Doug Beal for two years. He arrived at his second stint with USA Volleyball after serving as head coach of the Australian Women's National and Olympic Volleyball Team for four years. Under Saindon's direction the Australian women's national team climbed from a world ranking of No. 40 in May 1997 to a world ranking of No. 14 after placing 9th at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Saindon also served as an assistant coach under head coach Bill Neville from 1989-1990 for USA Volleyball. His responsibilities with USA Volleyball included running and planning daily practices and overseeing the daily strength and conditioning program at the USOC training facility in Colorado Springs, Colo. He has coached in over 350 international events in 27 countries, including various world championships, world cups, Asian Championships, the Goodwill Games and many others.

Saindon's resume also includes a tremendously successful coaching career in the college ranks. He was the architect for the women's volleyball program at the University of Colorado, starting the program from scratch in April 1986. Under his direction the Lady Buffs posted a 181-112 record from 1986-97, qualified for the NCAA volleyball tournament six times (1991-1996), were Big Eight Conference Champions in 1993, were runners-up in the Big Eight Conference five times, and captured two Big Eight Conference tournament titles (1992 and 1993). Saindon was named Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year three times (1988, 1992, and 1993). In 14 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level, Saindon owns an impressive 263-175 record for a .600 winning percentage.

Colorado became a perennial national power under Saindon's guidance, earning a national ranking 45 times during his tenure. The 1993 squad finished with a 26-6 record, winning both the Big 8 regular season title and the conference tournament. The Buffalos advanced to the Sweet 16 and Saindon earned his third Big 8 Coach of the Year award.

Prior to his position with the University of Colorado, Saindon was the head volleyball coach at Regis College from 1984-86, posting a career 63-28 record. Previously he served as the assistant volleyball coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1980-84. A native of Colorado, Saindon graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in Wheat Ridge, Colo., in 1972. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree in business administration from Arizona State University in 1976 and a master's degree in the scientific basis of sport from the University of Oklahoma in 1984. He also has extensive experience in the sport of volleyball as a player. Saindon played for the Arizona State volleyball club team from 1972-1976. He also played for elite club teams in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States Volleyball Association (1977-1980 and 1985). He made the All-Region Team each of those years and was named Most Valuable Player in the Rocky Mountain Region in 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1985. He played three years professionally in the International Volleyball Association, playing for the Denver Comets in 1978 and 1980 and the Orange County Stars in 1979.

He has coached at virtually every level of volleyball, including grassroots development clubs, junior high and high school system, elite club level, collegiate, national, and international and Olympic level. Throughout his career Saindon has been involved with USA Volleyball coaching and helping run numerous camps and clinics administered by USA Volleyball.

Brad Saindon Year-by-Year

Regis College (63-28)

Brad Saindon Last College: Arizona State Position: Head Coach Experience: 5th Year

University of Colorado (181-112)
Six NCAA Tournament Appearances, two Sweet 16

Arizona State University (27-55)

International Experience:
1997-2000: Head Coach Volleyball Team Australia

• improved world ranking from #40 to #14 during tenure
• coached in 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia

Career Collegiate Coaching Record: 271-195 (15 years)