Nathan Janzen named Interim Head Coach of McMaster women’s volleyball program for 2023-24 season

HAMILTON – McMaster University has announced Nathan Janzen as the Interim Head Coach of the Marauders women’s volleyball program ahead of the 2023-24 season, with longtime head coach Tim Louks stepping into the role of Interim Associate Director, High Performance¹.

“It is very exciting that Nathan is able and willing to provide guidance and expertise to the women’s team this season,” said Louks. “I am fortunate to have collaborated with such a qualified and knowledgeable coach. He is at the ready, able to provide leadership to our dedicated student-athletes and ensure we continue to compete with the best in the OUA and U SPORTS. I am very excited that he has agreed to the Interim Head Coach position and am eager to support him through the journey.”
 
A member of the Marauders’ men’s and women’s coaching staffs for six seasons between 2010 and 2016, Janzen contributed to six OUA championship titles between the two programs and four national medals for the men’s team. He departed in 2016 to assume the head coaching role of the Niagara College women’s program, where he led the Knights to a 26-10 record en route to an OCAA bronze and silver medal. Since his return to the maroon and grey bench in 2018, Janzen continues to have a significant impact on McMaster volleyball.
 
“We are excited to have Nathan step into the interim head coach role moving into this season culminating with hosting the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship,” said Shawn Burt, Director of Athletics and Recreation at McMaster. “Nathan’s strong technical and tactical skills, along with his background coaching elite women’s volleyball, positions him very well to take the reins this season.” 
 
In addition to coaching varsity volleyball at McMaster, Janzen also has extensive experience with Team Canada. Beginning as an Assistant Coach with the Men’s Junior National Team in 2013, Janzen traveled with the team to Turkey for the FIVB World Junior Championships. He then became an Assistant Coach with the Youth Women’s National Team in 2019 for the U18 World Championships in Egypt. Most recently, he was named Head Coach of Canada’s Youth National Team for the 2023 Women’s Canada Cup, an event which his team won.
 
On the provincial stage, Janzen has developed numerous athletes in his roles on various Team Ontario coaching staffs. He was the Assistant Coach of the 18U Boys in 2014 and Head Coach of the 16U Boys the following year. In 2017, Janzen won gold at the Canada Games with the 18U Boys, a highlight of his Team O coaching career. 

“I’m most looking forward to continuing the long legacy of excellence created by Tim Louks for McMaster women’s volleyball,” said Janzen. “This year, there is the added benefit of hosting a national championship so I’m certainly excited for this team to experience competing for a U SPORTS title in our home gym.”

“The student- athletes on this team are inspiring to coach, both on the court and in the classroom, so I’m sure even in this new role, they will continue to teach me as much as or even more than I teach them.” 
 
Janzen will assume the role of interim head coach immediately.
 
The Marauders open the 2023-24 OUA season at home on November 4th against the Toronto Varsity Blues. Season tickets will go on sale to the general public on September 5th and can be purchased at www.marauders.ca/tickets. 
 
McMaster University will also play host to the nation’s best at the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship in March. More information on the national championship can be found here.

¹Louks, who has spent 33 seasons on the bench with the women’s program, remains with the Department of Athletics & Recreation as the Interim Associate Director, High Performance. A national candidate search for the position is expected to take several months.

For the latest news and updates on the McMaster Marauders, follow @mcmastersports on social media or visit www.marauders.ca.