Patrick Hiltz enters his first year as Blinn College’s assistant volleyball coach. He comes to Blinn with 26 years of coaching experience.

Hiltz most recently served as the head indoor and beach volleyball coach at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He left ULM with the second-highest career indoor winning percentage in program history, and holds the most wins in ULM beach volleyball history.

Under his direction, the ULM indoor and beach volleyball teams won the Sun Belt Team Academic Award in 2013 and 2014 and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017.

On the court, Hiltz led several players to top-five spots in the ULM record books. He coached players who set school records for kills in a match, assists in a season, digs in a season, and career digs. ULM also set the Sun Belt Conference record for digs in a match. Prior to the 2017 season, ULM’s libero was named the Sun Belt Conference Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year. In 2014 and 2015, he coached two players who led the Sun Belt Conference in service aces.

On the beach, Hiltz led ULM to three trips to the AVCA National Championships. In 2013, the team made an appearance, while in 2014 and 2015 the top individual pairs competed there. He coached two All-Americans, including one two-time All-American. He coached the beach volleyball team and pairs to victories over national powerhouses such as Louisiana State University, Georgia State University, Tulane University, the University of Washington, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Florida State University, the University of Southern California, and the University of South Carolina. In Hiltz’s final season with the beach volleyball program, ULM earned the most wins in program history with 19.

Hiltz spent one season as the head volleyball coach for Nicholls State (La.) University in 2012. He coached the Colonels to the Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament.

Prior to Nicholls State, Hiltz spent one season as the assistant coach at ULM. The 2011 campaign saw the program accomplish one of the largest turnarounds in the country, going from no wins the previous season to a 10-16 record.

In 2009-2010, Hiltz served as the assistant coach at Phoenix College, where he was responsible for recruiting, working with defensive specialists, and assisting with game planning. The Bears made appearances at the regional tournament both seasons.

He began his career coaching several high school and club teams across Arizona and Nevada. He grew up and played high school volleyball in Santa Barbara, Calif., and helped lead San Marcos High School to a California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Championship.

Hiltz and his fiancé, Heather, reside in Brenham with her two children, Erin and Ethan.