Bryan Cottriel named Newport Harbor boys’ volleyball coach
When Bryan Cottriel left Newport Harbor High in 2006 to become the girls’ volleyball coach at Temecula Great Oak he never thought he’d return to the Sailors’ program.
He enjoyed his time as an assistant at Newport Harbor and a learned a great deal from legendary coach Dan Glenn. He also later coached the boys’ and girls’ teams for three years (2010-12) at Santa Margarita. And, now he has found his way back to Newport Harbor.
Cottriel has been named the Sailors’ boys’ volleyball coach, Glenn, the director of volleyball, said Monday night.
“We’re very excited about this,” Glenn said. “It’s a perfect fit.”
Glenn coaches the Newport Harbor girls’ team. He said he will assist Cottriel with the boys and Cottriel will be Glenn’s assistant with the girls.
“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity,” Cottriel said. “I’m coming to the program that I grew up in as a young coach. To have an opportunity to come to Newport Harbor is a dream come true.”
Cottriel, 37, spent this past season as the boys’ junior varsity coach and varsity assistant under Steve Conti at Corona del Mar.
Cottriel takes over for Steve Astor, who left Newport Harbor to take the CdM girls’ volleyball job after two seasons with the Sailors.
Cottriel also applied for the CdM job and was among the finalists with Astor and Josh Ko, a former Newport and CdM assistant, Cottriel said.
Cottriel remained confident throughout the process with the possibility he could become the Newport Harbor coach had Astor left for CdM.
Working with Conti also helped Cottriel stay busy and learn.
“It was really good,” Cottriel said of working with Conti. “I had always wondered what Steve did on the other side of the bay. It was a great experience for me. I had just always coached with Dan. To go over there to see what Steve did was great. It’s a first-class operation ran by a first-class guy. From him and Dan there is a huge similarity with how they run their programs and contribute to the success of their programs.”
Cottriel said he continues to coach with Dan Glenn, as they develop talent with the Balboa Bay Club’s 12-and-under team. Because of the young talent coming up and the underclassmen at Newport Harbor, Cottriel said he is extra excited to return to the Sailors.
“The overall future of the program is very bright,” Cottriel said. “I have the utmost respect for [Glenn]. It’s such a good deal that we’ll have going.”
Cottriel said longtime assistant and alumna Taylor Govaars will remain as an assistant.
“I’m excited to have her there,” Cottriel said. “She is vital to the success of both programs.”