Bio

Robert Blakley enters his first season at the helm for USAO, going into the 2023 season.

In 2023, Blakley was the assistant coach at UT Permian Basin (NCAA DII) and helped lead the team to an impressive 17-10 overall record and a respectable 8-8 record against the always tough Lonestar Conference. Additionally, the Falcons had an All-LSC selection, along with nine additions to the program record book, including four program records.

Blakley spent the previous three years (2020-22) as the head coach of Vernon College (Texas) at the NJCAA level.  He guided the Chaps to postseason appearances in all three seasons, in addition to six all-conference and two All-Region first team selections. Blakley helped in the development of Danika Washington who was the Region V Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the NJCAA All-American second team.  The Chaps would see 13 of his players move on to the NCAA and NAIA levels. 

He also brings in 18 years of experience in club and high school volleyball. He had over 400 wins in high school and in 2016 led Weimar to the Class 2A State Semi-Finals in two sports. He was also able to lead The Midland Lee (Legacy) Volleyball team to its most successful season in school history. From that team alone, he sent one DIII, one DI and two to the Lonestar (one to win a National Championship and one to become an All-Conference player at UTPB, and now is playing oversees).