New Jersey volleyball legendary coach Don Guide passed away at the age of 93 on February 12, 2025.
He started playing and coaching throughout the 1950s and 1960s, even before high school and collegiate teams were formally established.
Guide dedicated his life to volleyball, starting with organizing teams for YMCA and USVBA tournaments and later supporting new coaches as a volunteer.
Additionally, he served as USVBA Commissioner for New York and New Jersey.
Due to business demands, he couldn’t coach full-time. However, he still managed to take on one-year coaching stints at Kean, Ramapo, and Upsala.
He also started the Bergen Volleyball Club and served as Assistant Director of the USVBA National Championships.
Don Guide Discovered His Passion For Volleyball While Serving In The Air Force During The Korean War!
Don Guide had an illustrious coaching career with significant contributions to several teams.
He coached the Paramus Catholic High School girls’ volleyball team after his retirement in 1995.
At Paramus Catholic High School, he coached the girls’ volleyball team to three state championships in five seasons, achieving an outstanding record of 115-17.
Under his leadership, the team was ranked No. 1 in the Star-Ledger Top 20 for four seasons.
Moreover, the team became the first New Jersey team to be nationally ranked, securing the 43rd spot in the VBall.com Top 50.
Guide also transformed St. Peter’s Prep into a boys’ volleyball powerhouse over a decade and a half, recording a remarkable 345-83 record.
During his tenure, the team won six Hudson County titles and five sectional titles and made four appearances in the Tournament of Champions.
Additionally, Guide coached at Fairleigh Dickinson University for three seasons, further contributing to the development of the college’s volleyball program.
During his time there, he brought the program into Division I play en route to a winning percentage over .700.
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In addition to these roles, Guide also had brief coaching stints at other colleges in New Jersey and assisted at Immaculate Heart Academy under Maria Nolan.
His outstanding contributions to the sport earned him an induction into the NJSIAA Volleyball Hall of Fame and the Volleyball Award in 2010.
His journey in volleyball began during the Korean War and continued through several decades.
He was a beloved coach at Paramus Catholic High School, and his contributions to the girls’ volleyball team will be remembered by many.
Rest In Peace Legend!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Don was named “two-time Star-Ledger Coach of the Year” in 1999.
- Digsvolleyball recently posted a heartfelt thread about the passing of legendary volleyball coach Don Guide.
