University of Texas at Dallas Athletics

Zach Villarreal was named just the second head coach in UT Dallas volleyball history in July 2022. 

In three seasons, Villarreal has led the Comets to a 42-28 record and 24-6 in American Southwest Conference play. In his first season at the helm, UTD went 21-6 overall and won the American Southwest Conference regular season at 14-2, They went to on to win the ASC Championship for the eighth time in program history and advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. For his efforts, Villarreal headed up the ASC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2022.

ZACH VILLARREAL VIDEO PROFILE

He has coached 11 All-ASC selections, including a league Setter of the Year and Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year, as well as one AVCA All-Region pick in 2022.

Villarreal has been a part of the UTD volleyball program since its inception in 2004. In 18 years as an assistant coach to Marci Allison, the Comets won seven American Southwest Conference championships and made eight trips to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Villarreal’s main focus has been training the UTD setters. In 2008, he helped setter Niki Calverley become one of the nation’s statistical leaders in assists as she finished the year second in the nation in assists per set. In 2009, Calverley became the first UTD volleyball player to become an All-American as she was named to the AVCA D-III Third Team. Calverley was named an AVCA DIII First Team All-American for her efforts in 2010 as she received numerous ASC, regional, and national recognitions. He then mentored setter Kayla Jordan, who was tabbed the 2015 ASC East Player of the Year, and closed out her career with more than 5,000 assists. In 2013, Villarreal was honored by his peers as the AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year. 

He was also involved with youth volleyball in the North Texas Region and has worked with Victory Volleyball Club in a training and mentoring position. Villarreal has qualified teams for the Girls Junior National Championships with Victory and Texas Image Volleyball Clubs.

He has been the UTD Summer Volleyball Camp Director since 2005. He has also run team camps for various high schools as well as clinics for local club teams. Villarreal has also been a staff member as an on court coach for Dallas Premier Volleyball Camps, Illinois State Volleyball Camp, University of Illinois Volleyball Camp, and Angelo State University Volleyball Camp. 

Villarreal is a member of the AVCA. He received his Bachelor's (2000) and Master's (2002) Degrees in Kinesiology from Angelo State University.