Gilad Doron

Gilad Doron's journey to becoming the Director of Volleyball at IMG Academy is marked by a rich history of coaching excellence and a deep-rooted passion for the sport. Born and raised in Israel, Doron's career in volleyball has taken him across continents, shaping him into a respected figure in the volleyball coaching community who has coached several All-Americans and All-Conference players alike.

Gilad’s journey includes a decade of competing in volleyball as part of the Israeli National Team and the Mate Asher Club. His coaching career began in Israel with Mate Asher which included an Israeli Championship. In this role he recruited, coached, and mentored athletes from all over the world. Doron's coaching career in the United States began in 1996 and has included a number of Division I coaching positions, launching a volleyball academy in Philadelphia – which has become one of the most respected programs in the nation today and other volleyball endeavors.

His most recent role before joining IMG Academy was as an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy in August 2023. Prior to this, he had spent seven seasons at Dartmouth College, where he made history as the third head coach in the program's legacy and had the highest winning percentage in total wins both at Dartmouth and in the Ivy Leagues.

Under Doron's guidance, the Dartmouth Big Green achieved notable success during the 2022 season, securing an 8-6 record and finishing fourth in the Ivy Conference. The team showcased their prowess, ranking 25th in the nation in aces per set with an impressive 1.80. Dartmouth's triumph at the 2022 Dartmouth Invitational, going undefeated against Siena, Merrimack, Lehigh, and Hartford, further solidified Doron's reputation as a skilled and strategic coach.

Before his tenure at Dartmouth, Doron was the Head Coach of the University of San Francisco from 2007 to 2016. During his time there, he became the winningest coach in program history and the West Coast Conference. The 2015 season marked the pinnacle for the program, finishing with an overall record of 131-130 and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament.

In 2008, Doron steered the University of San Francisco to one of its most successful seasons, with a 22-8 record and a second NCAA Tournament appearance. The team's impressive performance elevated them to the 22nd spot in the AVCA Poll. Such achievements mirrored Doron's ability to foster excellence and competitiveness.

Doron's coaching prowess extends to other collegiate programs, with successful stints at Villanova from 2004 to 2007, where he orchestrated a remarkable 12-game improvement in the 2005 season, and at Temple University from 1996 to 1999, contributing to a stellar 101-28 record.

Before making waves in American collegiate volleyball, Doron founded the Philadelphia Volleyball Academy (now known as the East Coast Power) in 2003, a nationally ranked club comprising five teams and players aged 14-18. His commitment to player development also manifested during his time as the head goals coach at Synergy Volleyball Club in Philadelphia.

Doron's coaching journey began in his native Israel, where he served as the head men's volleyball coach for the Mate Asher Professional Club. His leadership led the team to the 1994 Israeli Championship and the finals of the 1995 Israel Cup. As a player, Doron competed for the Israeli National Team for a decade, contributing to their fourth-place finish in the World University Games in Japan in 1995.

A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Temple University with a degree in Finance and Risk Management Insurance, Doron's academic achievements complement his on-court success. He also holds an Associate Degree in Industrial Management Engineering and Marketing from The Western Galilee College in Yad-Natan, Israel.