IMG Academy Announces Zach Richardson as First Head Boys Volleyball Coach

“Hiring Zach as our first Head Boys Volleyball Coach is a defining moment for IMG Academy volleyball,” said Gilan Doron, Director of Volleyball at IMG Academy. “His experience and passion for coach and student-athlete development, and proven leadership make him the right person to help build this program. As we prepare to welcome our first boys volleyball student-athletes, Zach’s vision and standards will create an environment that accelerates daily growth, expands long-term pathways, and ensures our student-athletes are supported on and off the court.”

His coaching background spans club, high school, and national environments, with accomplishments that include multiple national qualifier titles, state championships, and the development of top collegiate and professional athletes worldwide. Richardson also previously served as Assistant Club Director at Elevate Athletics, contributing to coach development, student-athlete recruiting, and long-term organizational growth.

Richardson’s hire builds on IMG Academy’s announcement earlier this year of its expansion into boys volleyball, following the rapid success of the girls volleyball program launched in 2023, which now features five competitive teams. Boys volleyball will offer the same elite-level training, competition, and holistic development that define IMG Academy’s model for student-athlete excellence.

“At IMG Academy, our focus is always on creating meaningful opportunities for student-athletes to grow, compete, and prepare for what’s next,” said Brian Nash, Vice President of Athletics at IMG Academy. “Bringing Zach on as our first boys volleyball head coach is a pivotal moment for this program. His leadership establishes a strong foundation for our boys' volleyball student-athletes, elevates their daily development, and reinforces our commitment to providing elite coaching and long-term pathways for success.”

Boys volleyball will join nine other boys’ sports offered at IMG Academy, including Basketball, Baseball, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, and Wrestling. The expansion positions IMG Academy as a year-round global hub for volleyball, with the ability to host national and international events, camps, clinics, and tournaments.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be the first Head Boys Volleyball Coach at IMG Academy,” said Richardson. “Building a new program at a place that sets the global standard for student-athlete development is a rare opportunity. I’m excited to build a program grounded in elite standards, student-athlete development, and long-term success.”

To learn more about boys volleyball at IMG Academy, visit:

• Boarding School: https://www.imgacademy.com/boarding-school/volleyball-boys
• Camps: https://www.imgacademy.com/sport-camps/boys-volleyball-camp

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches.