Riley Salmon is an American Olympic gold medalist, long-time indoor volleyball professional and indoor and sand volleyball coach.  At 6'1", this Texas native did not play for a big volleyball program (though Pierce is not to be ignored) is a true underdog story, getting the call to the US men's national team.  After playing in the games in Athens and finishing 4th, he became the team captain, winning multiple championships en route to Olympic gold in 2008 at Bejing.  He is currently the Head Men's Volleyball Coach at Jamestown.

Tune in, as we chat up dealing with losses on the big stage, military kids and how they handle that life, why our human psyche leans towards the negative, his journey to the national team that lead to 2004 and 2008, the match vs Serbia, teamwork vs wanting to stand out, Dave Palm, fun stories playing overseas, why "Avalide" was considered a banned substance, how he got started with volleyball, the talent in Italy, where the money comes from in pro leagues overseas, advice on how to keep a good woman, his battle with  addiction to opioids and alcohol, how he conquered stereotypical obstacles to play at the highest level, the "South Bay stare," and MORE!

The "Option"

Episode 93 - Riley Salmon

Todd Rogers is an American beach volleyball coach and professional beach volleyball player who is an Olympic and FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship gold medalist. He has enjoyed success with many partners, including Phil Dalhausser, where they were the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 AVP Tour champions.  From being an indoor standout at UC Santa Barbara to the biggest world stage on the beach scene, it is safe to say that his legacy is well-cemented.  He has won multiple individual awards on the international and domestic tour (including MVP and best defensive player). In October 2021, he will be inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, along with Logan Tom and Clay Stanley.  He is currently the head women's sand volleyball coach at Cal Poly where the team made multiple appearances at the NCAA tournament.   He has recently won conference coach of the year.

Tune in, as we chat up mental stress in athletics at the collegiate and professional level, Simone Biles, conquering games decided by two points, thoughts on AVP'er Crissy Jones (Shoonderwoerd), the rise of the upstart and next generation of women's beach volleyball, players and coaches learning when to take time off, his Olympic run to gold with Phil Dalhausser, his strength and weakness as a coach, where Phil had gotten better and where he positively stayed the same, the satirical labor of interviewing him, what got him started as a player, the moment(s) where he knew he would do this for a career, Bally's acquiring the AVP, our praise on where the AVP was headed, and MORE!

Episode 98 - Todd Rogers

Chris Hannemann is an American Beach volleyball coach and former professional player.  A South Bay product, his playing resume brings new meaning to the term "endless" and reflects well upon himself, his family of high-level players and the sport of professional beach volleyball.  From the AVP, to EEVB, to a two-time Motherlode Champion, it is safe to say he has been "everywhere, man."   Using his bi-coastal playing experience, he was able to jump into coaching right away, breathing life into the Dakine Club volleyball scene in Seattle, Washington.  He has returned to the South Bay and is now the founder and program director of Hermosa Beach Volleyball Club.

Troy Gravett is an American beach volleyball and indoor volleyball referee.  Where in most instances, remembering referee's names is a bad thing, he has been sharp, fair, and may be setting a general standard in how games are called, as well as providing perspective on tough calls, mistakes and how to make sure the outcome is decided by the players with much at stake.  Where many are not inclined to engage in a tough Q and A, he is more than ready to embrace it.

02:07 - Hannemann's next stop, the Troy Triathlon,  
07:05 - All about those hands, what the refs are looking for, and what is taught, wrong or right ways to teach it
20:20 - Upsets as a player, upsets as a ref, and upsets as a coach
28:14 - The Troy Field, "Catch block"
31:30 - Weekend warriors rules myths, what is hard-driven, the double-fist apart dig, redirect vs carry/throw, respect for refs who are candid about missing a call
42:35 - The refs we know and respect: If you can't remember, they did their job. plus, is the "cobra" legal? Rigid hands? Sand "kicking up" the line? pointers for indicating touch/no touch calls
54:20 - Are the highest-level teams the least affected by rule changes?
58:20 - what do you tell your coaches to look for in drills
1:06:05 - Calling Dave Carson, checking up of "da man"
1:08:19 - Lightning Rounds

Episode 226 - Chris Hannemann & Troy Gravett

May 28, 2019 - AVP standout, and one of beach volleyball's polarizing players Jeff Samuels talks partnerships, interesting places and gets very personal

Episode 2 - Jeff Samuels

June 13, 2019 - AVP qualifier-to-main-draw, and two-time Motherlode Beach VB Champ Cassie House talks Indoor/outdoor fundamentals, fun partners, her bizarre kidnapping, and more!

Episode 4 - Cassie House

Doug Nascimento is a professional volleyball coach, entrepreneur, and sports agent/personality.  Jeff Samuels is a professional beach volleyball player and coach.  Listen in, as these two chat up the state of coaching, Ricardo, new talent, area 51, and more!

The "Option" Episode 7: Doug Nascimento & Jeff Samuels

Episode 7 - Doug Nascimento & Jeff Samuels

Wendy Jones of the podcast "The Optimists Journal" comes on the show to chat up NCAA pay-for-play, what the sport of volleyball means to her, Gender equality in sports, and more!  Special guest tech for the show, is the great, Greg Faulkner.

Episode 11 - Wendy Jones

Theo Brunner is a professional Beach Volleyball player and former indoor pro.  The Three-time AVP champ and FIVB champ has enjoyed success on all levels with multiple partners.

Come join us, former Santa Barbara Star chats up the NBA All-Star Game, The Hawaii AVP finals, his bicoastal support, playing with different balls, blocking signals, improved training, and MORE!

Episode 021 - Theo Brunner

Duncan Avery is an American Volleyball Coach.  The former high school and college stand out has coached and played for a slew of elite programs, such as Redondo Union HS and Long Beach State University, and is currently the program director of the South Bay club "Evolution."

Come join us, as we chat up how the corona virus has affected the club season, coaching different personalities, dealing with parents, his personal battles with his children having brain tumors, taking it to the next level, and MORE!

Episode 027 - Duncan Avery

Nate Lombardi is an American Actor, Performer, Musical Artist, Entrepreneur and amazing human being.  In addition to a slew of television and film, Nate is the founder of "Groovy Projects," a company/movement that focuses on anti-bullying, youth positive reinforcement and the health and wellness in our communities and school systems.

Come join in, as we chat the "Groovy Project", understanding children from different neighborhoods, the difference between symbolism and activism, who our heroes are, and my personal contempt for bullies. As a former volleyball player, we chatted up our sport, highlighting interesting players like Troy Fielf and former great Canyon Ceman.

Episode 226 - Chris Hannemann & Troy Gravett

The Option

Related tracks