Vanessa Romero is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com.

MESA – Miles McClurg competed for Dobson’s boys volleyball team for four years. Now, he is taking on a new challenge as a first-time assistant coach for the varsity girls volleyball team. 

During his four years as a Dobson player, he used volleyball as a way to manage life challenges. McClurg has played volleyball since he was a little kid. 

“I’ve always been in love with the sport from the second I started playing it,” McClurg said. “It’s always something I can use as an escape when things aren’t going well.”

McClurg earned All-East Valley Region second team his senior year and honorable mention during his junior year. 

In McClurg’s senior season, he often found himself teaching techniques to younger teammates. The experience helped prepare him for coaching. 

McClurg graduated from Dobson in the spring. The transition from player to coach has allowed him to share his experience and skills while staying connected to the sport he has loved for most of his life.

Head coach Kaitlyn Johnson said she saw his experience and leadership as qualities that could benefit the program.

McClurg said he helps the team recognize their skills and strengths. McClurg emphasizes resilience, encouraging the players to keep grinding even when facing challenges on and off the court. 

As a male coach in a female sport, McClurg said he tries to make sure he builds trust and provides an environment where players feel comfortable. 

“It’s about being very open and being willing to listen, not necessarily to give advice, but just to be there and be someone they can talk to,” McClurg said. 

Being an alum has allowed him to gain the trust of the players and feel comfortable talking to him, Dobson 2027 middle hitter Maniya Pless said. 

“I think having an existing coach really helps us,” Pless said. 

McClurg said he understands the game and the emotions players face during it.  

“He really knows how to make us feel valued and seen on the court and really helps us when we’re having stressful games,” Dobson 2027 outside hitter Canna Pless said. 

McClurg’s experience playing the boys game also gives him a different perspective to incorporate his skills into the girls team. 

“The big blocks coming from a men's game – they're bigger, obviously –so he really helps us with the taller girls on the other teams to help us block,” Maniya Pless said. 

Canna Pless said McClurg’s emphasis on footwork and agility helped her move faster on the court. 

For his day job, McClurg is a welder who said he hopes to become a master welder. For now, coaching remains a way McClurg stays connected to the game while balancing his professional goals.