The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have hired from within as they have named the third women’s volleyball head coach in their CIS history. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] New WolfPack women's volleyball head coach Chad Grimm (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] The WolfPack and Athletics and Recreation Director Ken Olynyk are pleased to announce that 35 year old Chad Grimm has taken over that position effective April 1, 2014. Grimm was named interim head coach in mid-January for the last four weeks of the 2013-14 Canada West regular season through to the end of March. He has been an assistant coach with the WolfPack men’s program for the past eight years. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Athletics and Recreation director Ken Olynyk[/caption] Olynyk says Grimm had everything he was looking for in a coach. “Chad did a great job stepping in for the remainder of this season.  He is someone with a solid volleyball background—as a pro player and coach, coached in the school system and has been an assistant at the university.  He has a great volleyball resume and will guide our program in a new direction in the future.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Grimm and assistant coach Mike Hawkins this season (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] He added: “ It’s a bonus that he is also an alumna of our school. His educational background (Bachelor of  Human Kinetics, Bachelor of Education Degree and Masters in Counseling (as of this June) is a natural fit.   I really like the fact he has a masters in counselling. It will help him as he deals with our athletes, future recruits and parents.   I am excited about this. He was on my short list twice before for coaching positions, I am pleased that he has decided to take the position.” Grimm, who was born in Quesnel, BC says this is a great opportunity. “ I am excited. It will be a challenge and I am looking forward to building the program.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Grimm with the women's team late in the season[/caption] Grimm played for the University College of the Cariboo Sun Demons for two seasons (1996-98) before completing his university eligibility with the UBC Thunderbirds.  Ironically, the assistant coach on the UBC team those three seasons was current WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly.  He played and coached in Denmark and Belgium before returning to Kamloops, where he not only assisted Hennelly but taught in the Kamloops-Thompson School District. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Grimm (left) and Pat Hennelly (right) as he accepts an Alumni leadership award in 2013 (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “Being a CIS head coach has always been a dream of mine,” he says. “ The timing seems to be right with my family and schooling. My coaching style is best described as a players coach.  I am pretty relaxed and laid back. I am competitive as all coaches and athletes are but I think I am more even keel than others. My background educationally has changed who I am and how I approach things.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Hennelly and Grimm during a Men's volleyball time out[/caption] He agrees being a teacher and counsellor will help with his interacting with his players.  “ The girls have been pretty open to addressing things. I think it is something that definitely helps.  I think the players are becoming more comfortable with being open and working together on things.” Grimm adds that being at the helm along with Mike Hawkins late this season helped him as he builds for the future. “I think that it gave me a chance to work with the players who plan to return next season. Looking forward, I want to have a bigger roster. I want a roster of approximately 16 players as it takes 14 starters for a full scrimmage. Typically, injuries happen so will need more players.  I have been open with them that come next season, the 16 best players will be the ones who make the roster. It will have a lot to do with how the returning players prepare themselves over the summer.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Grimm and Hawkins during a women's match in January (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] When asked about what he takes away from working with Hennelly and how he sees the two working together as leaders of the WolfPack volleyball program? “ I think it is great. We know each other well and both programs will benefit.  We can do a lot of things together like sports camps. We can use each other as resources.  We do have different styles but he has worked with women’s programs before with UBC and Northern Arizona. He pushes the envelope for not only recruiting but for events as well and I would like to do the same.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “Chad is the perfect guy for the job,” Hennelly explains. “  He has put his time in in the league. I couldn’t be happier for Chad and his family. I think we have a great coach. I have worked with him enough to say that not only is he a great coach for the women’s program but for TRU Athletics as a whole.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Grimm teaching at a recent volleyball bc coaching clinic[/caption] Hennelly adds: “I think we are like minded.  We were influenced on how UBC volleyball operated in the 1990’s under Dale Ohman.  For sure, when we do ‘adopt a school’ or ‘clinics’ it will be very easy for both of our teams to collaborate.  Chad will take the point on some of these initiatives.  Chad understands community, being from Quesnel and knows the impact we (TRU men’s volleyball) has had over the last nine years.  As a teacher, he knows how youngsters react when our athletes go into the schools.  It is going to be great—for the sport, for our program and for the university.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Grimm makes a point during a recent volleyball bc coaching clinic[/caption] Grimm plans to continue the WolfPack’s community presence by being involved in not only school clinics but special events as well. “ That has been something that has been pushed with the men’s program and I will look to do that too.  I have been a part of the school district since 2008 and know a lot of the schools and teachers. I want to build that relationship between the WolfPack and the schoo’s as well.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="367"] Grimm with daughter Naya earlier this year (Allen Douglas/Kamloops This Week)[/caption] Grimm’s wife Anne is a former player and current teacher in the Kamloops-Thompson school district. They have two children, Odin and Naya SIDE OUTS:  Grimm is still listed in the Canada West record books as a player. He is 14 th in kills per set,14^th in career kills and 10^th in kills in a single season.  He laughs” Well, the one year I played we had to go five sets regardless so the points scored and sets played are a bit inflated.” On the difference between the men’s and women’s brand of university volleyball: “There are subtle differences but the most glaring differences are that the men’s game is shorter rallies and quicker. It is a power game.  The women’s game goes on a bit longer: there is more of a transition piece with more dig attempts and attack attempts.” Grimm is now talking to people about being an assistant coach next season.  He is also recruiting. A number of announcements are expected in the coming weeks. The first two head coaches of women’s volleyball since TRU entered the Canada West and CIS were Carrie Barrett (2005-2008) and Keith Lundgren (2011-13).  Cal Wohlford was the interim head coach (2008-2010).