After his hiring was announced by Athletics Director Jay Jacobs in April, volleyball coach Rick Nold is having no problem making himself comfortable at the University after leaving Jacksonville State University following nine seasons.
"I know a lot of people with ties to Auburn, so when the position became available, I had a lot of interest being in-state and learning the traditions here," Nold said. "It was just an exciting opportunity that I had to go after."
For Nold, transferring to Auburn was a positive change. He said it's easy for recruits and visitors to see what a nice place Auburn is.
"It's a great place with great people," Nold said. "I love it."
Nold, 41, majored in sports administration at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where his love for volleyball grew.
"I was probably 20 years old when I started coaching--just helping out with teams," Nold said. "Then I had gone out to California in 1992 and I was playing a lot at that time. Obviously, that could have been a path I could have taken then, but I felt like coaching was just a better option for me.
"I like competing with the girls and teaching them new things and seeing how they respond to that."
In high school, Nold played basketball, football and ran track.
"(Volleyball) just matched me," Nold said. "As I started playing a lot, I had some success and as I started coaching, I felt like I was able to teach the sport well, and people responded to that. So, I guess I just felt like it was the way to go."
Nold's experiences of playing and teaching the sport have helped him lead his teams to success.
"He's a good coach and he knows the game," said assistant coach Floyd Deaton.
"He's been around great players, and he's a great player himself. He understands that there's more to life than just volleyball and the little things that make (a team) better."
For Nold, there are specific characteristics he looks for in a good team player.
"There's definitely the athleticism part of it that we look for," Nold said. "Just somebody who's competitive and likes to work hard and wants to be a part of a winning program."
A three-time conference coach of the year, Nold's success in leading his players to victory could be attributed to the effort he puts into practicing and perfecting what skills his team already possesses.
"A lot of it is just learning how to focus if we're working on skills," Nold said. "There's a conditioning side to it. We work at a lot of different skills to try and improve those areas for them.
"Everybody does something a little different, but then again there's the strengthening aspect of it.
"We do conditioning at our practices, and all that ties together to train them to become a better athlete."
Nold's favorite part of a game is usually the most stressful.
"The tightest, most competitive portions of (the match)--I think that's when you learn a lot about yourself and other people," Nold said.
Volleyball practice began Aug. 8 for the Tigers in preparation for their season that kicked off last week.
"We want to compete for championships, and that's something that we're always going to talk about," Nold said. "We had a great season last year.
"Specifically, service is a big thing for us. That's where the game starts, and if we can improve in those areas then I think we can make a big jump on last year."
Nold said being comfortable working together is a priority for the team members and coaching staff.
"He's really thoughtful," said junior elementary education major Sarah Wroblicky. "He's a really good coach and is really supportive.
"With our old coach, if you messed up you would look over and think, 'Oh, shoot. Am I going to get pulled out?' (With Nold) he doesn't get mad, and he'll just say, 'Next ball.' He's kind of like a backbone--like a father figure."
Although only in his first season, Nold's team and surrounding peers have only good things to say. They appreciate what he's bringing to the team and the amount of effort he puts into coaching.
"I like the fact that he's easygoing, but he demands certain things," Deaton said. "He wants the girls to play hard and play with a lot of energy, but when they're not playing volleyball, to be students."
For those hoping to make it big as a professional one day, Nold has some strong advice when it comes to success and self-motivation.
"My advice would be to do well in school because there's a very small percentage who are," Nold said.
"I think with anything you're doing, whether it's as an athlete or a professional in an area of business, I think you just have to make sure you're putting everything you have into it and you're always trying to improve. You should have high expectations and want to be the best."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
