Mike Placek joined San Diego beach volleyball as an assistant coach in October 2025.
Placek brings more than a decade and a half of coaching and athlete-development experience to San Diego’s staff, including work with Olympic-level teams and extensive talent production with WAVE Volleyball Club. A graduate of nearby Torrey Pines High School, he excelled in both volleyball and tennis, earning an A Rating on the beach at age 13 and a national championship in the 16U division at 14. He later earned a tennis scholarship to UC Santa Barbara, where he was a three-time All-Big West selection and a Big West All-Academic honoree.
“I’ve known Mike for almost 20 years and he actually gave me my first coaching role at COAST Volleyball Club,” said San Diego beach volleyball head coach Derek Olson. “I’ve competed, trained, and coached with Mike and I know firsthand how great of a coach he is. He’s thoughtful, and puts in a lot of work to not only be great himself, but to also set his athletes up for success. He has coached in the Olympics and continues to coach teams positioned for the LA Games. He takes a very professional approach, knows the game inside and out, and has deep ties to this community. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the USD family.”
Following college, Placek began his professional beach volleyball career, finishing as high as third on the AVP and USA Volleyball tours in 2008 and 2012. From 2010 to 2011, he represented the Czech Republic in international competition, earning main-draw finishes on the FIVB World Tour and winning an exhibition event in Lille, France. In addition to his coaching background, he is certified in the Egoscue Method for postural alignment and injury prevention and has directed clinics and personal training programs for athletes across youth, collegiate, and professional levels.
He resides in Encinitas with his wife, Stephanie, their daughter, Elle, son, Luke, and their family dog, Oppo.
