A new addition to the Wildcats’ 2019 volleyball coaching staff is Richard Thao, a longtime player and coach in the Chico area.
Thao joins Cody Hein’s staff following four years serving as head coach of the Chico State men’s club volleyball team. Under his guidance, the Wildcats won the Northern California Collegiate Volleyball League (NCCVL)—the first in school club history. For his efforts, Thao was named 2017 Coach of the Year among all club sports at Chico State.
Thao began his coaching career by logging five seasons with the Chico High School and Pleasant Valley High School freshman and junior varsity teams.
As a player, Thao starred at Chico High, serving as the Panthers’ captain during his junior and senior years. While attending Chico State, he was active in club sports, spending five seasons competing in the NCCVL.
Thao earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Chico State in 2014.
