Mike Markovich is the new boys volleyball head coach at IRHS.
His wide grin reflects his level of enthusiasm.
Mike Malkovich is excited to be named the new head coach of the Indian River High School boys volleyball team.
“I believe my coaching experience will be valuable in teaching our student-athletes the physical and decision-making skills they need to compete and continue to be successful,” said Markovic, who will lead the program. he said. He won two DIAA state titles and made the playoffs every season during its seven-year existence. “I'm looking forward to getting our players ready and focused. We'll keep them excited while not getting too excited.”
“I am honored to be able to coach these young athletes,” Markovic added. “I'm excited to lead this group and hopefully get them ready for another state championship.”
The new bench boss brings a rich track record of success from the Washington, D.C., suburbs. He founded the boys' volleyball program at McLean High School in Northern Virginia 12 years ago and served as head coach for the first eight seasons. He was also the commissioner of the Northern Virginia High School Boys Volleyball League.
Mr. Markovich has coached at the middle school level for the past 12 years and has coached girls' varsity teams for seven seasons, much of it in collaboration with his wife, Carolyn. He also trains his volleyball coaches in connection with his youth volleyball in McLean and serves on the board of directors for an 800-player organization. Markovich has also coached high school women's club teams at the open level for over a dozen years and is certified at the USAV CAP I and CAP II levels.
Although Markovich has won a fair number of medals in tournaments, he is more pleased with the impressive number of former players who have become volleyball coaches for young athletes who have finished playing in college.
Markovich has sent numerous women's and men's volleyball players to NCAA Division I, II and III schools, including the University of Maryland, George Mason University, Penn State, the University of Virginia and the University of Delaware.
“My coaching philosophy is to help players improve by competing and continuing to develop their skills,” said Markovic, who has played competitive volleyball indoors, outdoors, on grass and sand for more than 40 years. he said. “Practice should be tough, fast-paced, and fun.”
Three of Markovich's former club team players have qualified and competed in the USAV National Championship, the most prestigious tournament in the country.
Markovich graduated from Northern Burlington Regional High School in Columbus, New Jersey and earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Cornell University. He retired after a successful stint as a communications consultant around the world.
Markovic will be supported by Jay Clark, an elite-level player and longtime IRHS volleyball coach who is a mainstay of IRHS volleyball coaching.
“He will serve as my lead clinician and trusted advisor,” Markovich said of Clark, who led the Indians to a 10-4 record and a DIAA playoff appearance last year.
Chad Zook will also assist Markovich as the junior varsity coach.
Markovich praised former IRHS volleyball head coach Jim Burns for “doing a great job building and strengthening the girls and boys programs at Indian River High.” If we succeed, much of the credit goes to him. We want to continue to compete at the highest level in the state of Delaware,” said Markovich, who moved to Millville with his wife last November. “It is important that we are able to engage the best athletes in our schools to participate in volleyball and provide opportunities for boys to play and learn volleyball at the elementary and middle school levels.”
