Dave Dooley Steps Away

Story courtesy of Brent Mutis - Capilano Blues

After three seasons with the team and a national championship, Dave Dooley is stepping down from his head coach role with the Capilano University Blues men’s volleyball team.

Dooley led the Blues to the 2020 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national title, the first ever volleyball crown for CapU, after entering the postseason as the PACWEST No. 3 seed. CapU defeated Camosun College in an epic five-set final to claim PACWEST gold and a spot at nationals.

"It has been a pleasure being part of the Blues program for the past three seasons,” said Dooley. “I want to thank the Blues Athletics department, my coaching staff, and especially the student-athletes for all of their hard work both on and off the court.

“In my short time with the program we had some incredible success, and I look forward to seeing how the lessons learned on the court will manifest in these young men as they transition to becoming contributing members of the volleyball community, workplace, and society in general."

Under Dooley, the Blues posted a 36-12 regular-season record, a 5-1 mark in the playoffs and they went 3-0 at the national tournament.

Blues players earned eight conference all-star nods on Dooley’s watch including two first-team honours for setter Simon Friesen. In 2019-20, middle blocker Enis Besirevic was named the PACWEST Rookie of the Year.

A total of four athletes moved on to the USports level from the Blues since Dooley has been on the job.

“On behalf of Capilano University and the Blues Athletics program, we thank Dave for his strong work ethic, dedication and exemplary leadership,” said CapU Manager of Athletics and Recreation Milt Williams. “His focus and hard work inspired the team to be national champions. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Dave as well as his family who have been extremely supportive of his role and responsibilities as head coach over the years.

“Dave will be missed and we wish him well in his future pursuits.”

A native of Surrey, Dooley will focus his attention now on his young family and on job as an educator in the Surrey school district.

Prior to taking the Blues head coach job, Dooley spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the women’s team at the University of the Fraser Valley, was an assistant coach at Camosun College with the men’s team and is currently the men’s head coach for the BC Beach Volleyball team for the 2021 Canada Summer Games happening in Niagara, Ont.

The Blues Department of Athletics and Recreation has begun the search for Dooley’s replacement.