Wilharm Elevated to Associate Head Volleyball Coach
August 24, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
Iowa native is rising star in coaching ranks
Alex Wilharm has been elevated to associate head coach as he enters his fourth year on the coaching staff for the University of Louisville volleyball team after acting as a volunteer coach for the prior two seasons.
"Alex started his coaching career at Louisville in 2011 and has exceeded all expectations since his arrival," said Anne Kordes, UofL head coach. "He not only understands volleyball at a high level, but has phenomenal communications skills that allow him to relay information successfully to each player. He has made a big impact on the Louisville program as a coach, recruiter, mentor, and leader. There is no doubt he is one of the best young coaches in the business. So I am excited to announce that Tom Jurich has put him on a contract that reflects his ability. Alex has earned everything that has come his way and I am lucky to work with a person of such high character on a daily basis."Â
In 2016, he was been named as one of The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 Award winners for 2016. This award was created in 2009 to honor up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport. To qualify for the award, nominees had to be 30 years old or younger in 2015. He has been an integral part of attracting three Top 25 recruiting classes to Louisville.
"I want to thank Tom Jurich, Christine Herring, Anne Kordes, and the University of Louisville for their continued support and for this incredible opportunity to continue at Louisville as the associate head coach," said Wilharm. Â "In my previous five seasons with Louisville, I have had the great fortune to work with many outstanding student-athletes, peers, and mentors who embody the motto of the University of Louisville Athletic Department: to stay humble and hungry. Â It's with a great deal of excitement that I accept this opportunity to make my career at Louisville a more permanent and long term commitment. Â I couldn't be more excited to continue to build on Anne's vision for this volleyball program here at Louisville. Â I look forward to making a lasting impact on this staff, program, and university for many years to come."
In all, Wilharm has been a part of four NCAA appearances, (three times to the 2nd round), two NCAA Tournament top 16 seed, an ACC Championship, two Big East Championships and a Big East Tournament Championship. He helped coach the American Athletic Conference Champion and has coached three conference Players of the Year, two conference Freshmen of the Year, the Conference Setter of the Year and two conference defensive players of the year. In all, he has coached eight AVCA All Americans, the AVCA Region Freshman of the Year and17 First Team All-Conference Performers.
A 2011 graduate of Clarke University in Iowa, he was a sport management major. He played for Clarke where he led the Crusaders to the national finals. He was a two-time All-MAMVIC first teamer and was named National Player of the Week twice as well as being an Academic All-Conference selection for three years. Clarke named him Male Athlete of the Year. A native of Decorah, Iowa, he was a two-sport athlete and lettered in track and basketball. The son of a high school volleyball coach, Wilharm coached the Dyersville Intensity Club (14s and 15s). He also coached Courtmasters 16s. As a senior at Clarke, he coached the women's team in the fall before playing his senior season in the spring.
In addition to his duties with U of L, he also coached club with KIVA's 16-1s and was the head coach of the Iowa High Performance Regional Team and led his team to the Boys Regional championship.
Â
"Alex started his coaching career at Louisville in 2011 and has exceeded all expectations since his arrival," said Anne Kordes, UofL head coach. "He not only understands volleyball at a high level, but has phenomenal communications skills that allow him to relay information successfully to each player. He has made a big impact on the Louisville program as a coach, recruiter, mentor, and leader. There is no doubt he is one of the best young coaches in the business. So I am excited to announce that Tom Jurich has put him on a contract that reflects his ability. Alex has earned everything that has come his way and I am lucky to work with a person of such high character on a daily basis."Â
In 2016, he was been named as one of The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 Award winners for 2016. This award was created in 2009 to honor up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport. To qualify for the award, nominees had to be 30 years old or younger in 2015. He has been an integral part of attracting three Top 25 recruiting classes to Louisville.
"I want to thank Tom Jurich, Christine Herring, Anne Kordes, and the University of Louisville for their continued support and for this incredible opportunity to continue at Louisville as the associate head coach," said Wilharm. Â "In my previous five seasons with Louisville, I have had the great fortune to work with many outstanding student-athletes, peers, and mentors who embody the motto of the University of Louisville Athletic Department: to stay humble and hungry. Â It's with a great deal of excitement that I accept this opportunity to make my career at Louisville a more permanent and long term commitment. Â I couldn't be more excited to continue to build on Anne's vision for this volleyball program here at Louisville. Â I look forward to making a lasting impact on this staff, program, and university for many years to come."
In all, Wilharm has been a part of four NCAA appearances, (three times to the 2nd round), two NCAA Tournament top 16 seed, an ACC Championship, two Big East Championships and a Big East Tournament Championship. He helped coach the American Athletic Conference Champion and has coached three conference Players of the Year, two conference Freshmen of the Year, the Conference Setter of the Year and two conference defensive players of the year. In all, he has coached eight AVCA All Americans, the AVCA Region Freshman of the Year and17 First Team All-Conference Performers.
A 2011 graduate of Clarke University in Iowa, he was a sport management major. He played for Clarke where he led the Crusaders to the national finals. He was a two-time All-MAMVIC first teamer and was named National Player of the Week twice as well as being an Academic All-Conference selection for three years. Clarke named him Male Athlete of the Year. A native of Decorah, Iowa, he was a two-sport athlete and lettered in track and basketball. The son of a high school volleyball coach, Wilharm coached the Dyersville Intensity Club (14s and 15s). He also coached Courtmasters 16s. As a senior at Clarke, he coached the women's team in the fall before playing his senior season in the spring.
In addition to his duties with U of L, he also coached club with KIVA's 16-1s and was the head coach of the Iowa High Performance Regional Team and led his team to the Boys Regional championship.
Â
VB: Dan Meske, Chloe Chicoine, Payton Petersen Postgame vs. Marquette
Sunday, December 07
VB: Highlights vs Marquette
Sunday, December 07
VB: Highlights vs Loyola Chicago
Saturday, December 06
VB: Dan Meske, Cara Cresse, Payton Petersen Postgame Presser vs. Loyola Chicago
Saturday, December 06
