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Coach Brian Schaefer
Will Brydon, formerly the Division II team head coach, has been selected to move into a new role this season as the acting program lead and Division I team head coach.
"As I begin this new role with the program, I am truly humbled by the coaches and players that have come before me and paved the way for UW-Oshkosh Men's Volleyball. This program is built on a foundation of hard work and success, and I am excited to continue on this tradition."
Brydon began acting as the program head coach after Brian Schaefer announced his announced his decision to step down from the program to pursue other career opportunities. Brydon says of Schaefer, "Brian Schaefer, or Lumpy as many called him, will forever be "coach" to me. I called him that when I played under his direction under, and I never stopped when I began coaching alongside him. He is a great friend, a mentor, and a kindred spirit - we both truly love the sport and have sacrificed to help ensure our players' success. In short, you cannot think UW-Oshkosh Men's Volleyball without thinking of Brian Schaefer, and I can only hope to honor his legacy through my actions in this position."
While he certainly has big shoes to fill, Brydon is up for the task. In three years as the Division II team's head coach, Brydon amassed a 136-28-2 record (.819 win %) complete with a NCVF Division III National Championship Runner-up finish in 2015 and two 5th place finishes in 2016 and 2017. He has also lead that team to 3 straight WVC regular season and state championships. These teams have been filled with athletes that have garnered All-Conference and All-American honors under his leadership. While collegiate coaching is his passion, Brydon has also coached successfully at many levels of the game.
Currently in his 4th year as the Winneconne High School girls head coach, Brydon has a record of 86-38 (.694 win %) compiled alongside many program firsts. He helped lead the program in the 2015-16 season to its first conference championship in 26 years, a Regional Championship, and the program's first ever Sectional Final appearance. His involvement in the high school girl's game keeps Brydon well-rounded, but he also has extensive experience in the women's youth club game and as a club satellite co-director.
Brydon also comes to this role after completing a successful playing career. He played 3 years of Varsity Volleyball at Glenbrook North High School in Illinois and made a state appearance in 2008. In college at UWO, he sat out his freshmen year to work but rejoined the team his sophomore season in 2009-10. He was the Division 2 team captain in 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, and in that final season he won the NCVF Division 3 National Championship and was selected as an Honorable Mention All-American for that division.
Clearly, volleyball has been a huge part of Brydon's life for many years. He says, "It is a privilege to lead such a high caliber program, but wins are not the only aspect of UWO Men's Volleyball that makes it special. I met my best friends on the team - fellow players and coaches that truly had my back through thick and thin. I coach in a way that pays homage to that experience. My philosophy is that UWO Men's Volleyball is a family, and we conduct ourselves as such. We honor the traditions that came before us and add to our legacy each season. I am excited to see what this season holds."
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