Virginia Peninsula Community College has selected Immanuel “Manny” Miguel, an Air Force veteran with an extensive background in the sport, as its new volleyball coach.
Athletics Director Chris Moore said he knew he had the right person for the job the moment they spoke.
“He comes with a wealth of experience. He has a wealth of knowledge,” said Moore, noting Miguel has played and coached for the Air Force team.
The Honolulu native said he fell in love with the sport as a child. That passion is why he wanted to become the Gators’ coach.
“I’ve played 20 plus years. and I just love the game,” he said. “I love growing the sport.”
He has coached at the high school and club level from Hawaii to California to Virginia and in Korea, Germany, Italy and Japan. Those experiences shaped his coaching philosophy.
“I take a little bit of everything that I learned from different places, different coaches that I’ve been with, and use it to coach and relate to the players,” he said.
With the team’s first game fewer than two weeks away, he knows he has a lot to learn quickly. First is getting to know his players and their talent level. He knows many of them have played for years.
“Everything else will come together,” he said.
His goal for the season is to see progress in the team and players. He’s not tied to reaching a certain number of wins.
“A lot of people look at wins when it comes to a successful season and a successful team, but for me, (it’s) going through the process of becoming a great player and becoming a great team,” he said.
Miguel, who is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, moved to the area in December 2024. He lives in Williamsburg with his wife and three children (two daughters aged 15 and 10, and a 5-year-old son.) He also coaches on the club level for VA Wave in Newport News.
“I think we got a home run hire,” Moore said. “He’s super invested, and I’m invested in him to make sure that we give him the support he needs to be successful.”
For more on VPCC athletics, go to www.vpccgators.com.