COACHING STAFF BIOS

Coach Blount literally grew up playing volleyball. He had no choice because his older brother Mike and father, Earl, were avid players. Hitting and peppering balls at the beach, in the backyard or the living room were common. He graduated from Mira Costa in 1971 and played on their Mustangs club team. He attended El Camino from 71-73. Dick transferred to San Diego State University in 1975 and majored in business management and graduated with a BS degree. He earned his Masters Degree in physical education in 2002 from Azusa Pacific University.

Blount spent a number of years coaching in the Manhattan Beach recreation department. He taught hundreds to appreciate and play volleyball. He took over the head-coaching job at Palos Verdes High School in 1989 turning a dormant team into a contender. After the PV schools merged Blount accepted a position with Mike Cook at Mira Costa and coached the JV & varsity teams for six seasons. His overall match in high school was 87-17.

In 2001, Blount turned around a sputtering El Camino men's team that was 5-11 in his first year and 12-5 his second. Along the way the team placed second in the South Coast Conference and third in the state. His peers voted Blount Co-Coach of the Year that season.

Coach Blount also worked as an assistant coach with the El Camino’s women’s team from 2002 through 2005. Those teams earned several South Coast Conference titles, five State tournament seeding, a 4th place in state in 2002 and a 3rd place in state in 2005. Numerous players earned all conference and all state honors, as well as, several Coach of the Year honors for LeValley Pattison.      

In the off-season, Blount coaches club teams and beach doubles players. He is on the Board of Directors of Southern California Volleyball Club. Blount is also a founding member of the Professional Coaches of Beach/Sand Volleyball Inc. certified by USA Volleyball. From those contacts and others, he has coached dozens of collegiate and professional beach players from the USA and abroad.

Blount has raced sailboats since 1974 including 25 national and 5 world championship events. He has also been a part of the management teams for another 26 national and 18 world championships including the 1996 Olympics. Hobbies include writing, surfing, sailing, skiing and model aircraft.