Sinan Tanik
Coach Sinan Tanik, Head Coach of our top boys’ and girls’ 949 teams, demonstrates a wealth of experience and expertise across various facets of volleyball. With an illustrious professional career spanning 18 years in Europe, he has left an indelible mark on the sport. As a former captain of the Turkish National team for 11 years, Coach Tanik's leadership qualities have been honed through numerous national and international championships and accolades. His tenure as a professional player extends beyond Turkey, as he has served as captain for teams in Poland, Greece, UAE, Spain, and Turkey, showcasing his adaptability to diverse cultures and playing conditions. Notably, he has contributed significantly to the success of Galatasaray, one of Turkey's premier sports clubs, where he held the positions of Men's Volleyball Sportive Director and Team Manager. Coach Tanik's influence extends to the international stage, having served as the Director and Manager of the Turkish Men's Senior National Team. Additionally, he has demonstrated his coaching prowess as the Head Coach of Poland Plus Liga team Effector Kielce and Pierwsze Liga team AZS Czestochowa before transitioning to the United States. In his two years at Concordia University Irvine, Coach Tanik made substantial contributions as an Assistant Coach of Men's Volleyball, progressively assuming roles as Recruiting Coordinator and eventually Interim Head Coach. Currently, he imparts his knowledge and expertise as an educator, teaching Economics, Intro to Business, and Intro to Law at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, alongside teaching Sports Psychology and Functional Movement at Stanton University as an Adjunct Professor.
In addition to his scholastic pursuits, Coach Tanik serves as the Head Coach of the Laguna Beach HS girls’ volleyball program and Head Coach of the Santa Margarita HS boy’s volleyball program, further exemplifying his dedication to nurturing young talent. Coach Tanik's academic credentials complement his on-court achievements, with master’s degrees in coaching and exercise sciences (MSCE) and coaching and athletic administration (MCAA) from Concordia University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Anadolu University in Turkey, underscoring his commitment to holistic development. Furthermore, Coach Tanik possesses esteemed coaching certifications, including a 4th level Turkish Volleyball Federation Coaching diploma, FIVB Level 2 certification, and USAV CAP II certificates, indicative of his continuous pursuit of excellence and professional growth in the field of volleyball coaching.