North Carolina State University Athletics
CARR: Hoyer Ready to Coach Again
4/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By A.J. CARR
RALEIGH, N.C. - The spark is there again. Pete Hoyer’s eyes flash with that bright glint. His voice emits enthusiasm.
After a seven-year hiatus from college coaching, he appears rejuvenated and enthralled about joining the staff of head NC State volleyball coach Bryan Bunn, his long-time friend and former teammate.
“He called me and it seemed an appropriate time to jump back in,” said Hoyer, who had taught special education at three Texas schools since 2003. “It’s a prestigious conference and at an institution that supports volleyball.”
Hoyer brings expertise and experience, having played in college and later coached at the Division I level for 16 years. In nine seasons as the head man at Dayton, he sent the Flyers’ program soaring to a higher altitude, posting a 178-96 record that included two Atlantic 10 championships.
But after recording his eighth straight winning season, Hoyer felt ”burned out a little.” Wife Stephanie also gave birth to the couple’s first child, Ethan, which prompted him to consider a job with less travel.
ATTACK MODE
Now Hoyer, physically fit at 6-4 and roughly 200 pounds, looks as if he’s ready to demonstrate spikes, digs and blocking techniques to the Wolfpack women.
In addition to serving as recruiting coordinator, he’ll coach the middle blockers.
“He knows what to look for when recruiting,” Bunn said. “He understands the game and knows what it takes to be successful.”
More importantly, Hoyer possesses admirable personal traits, knows what makes people tick, and knows various teaching techniques.
“We’ve been friends for 20 years and he has always demonstrated a lot of character,” Bunn added. “And he has good rapport with the players.”
“It feels good to be back,” said Hoyer, who cited a few changes in the game since he was roving the sideline, notably the height of players and technology coaches use in these tweeting, twittering days. "The women's game has continued to become more physical, with more athletes on each team playing way above the net."
While teaching school, Hoyer stayed in touch with the game, helping coach younger athletes and watching college teams.
His primary job in Texas was mentoring students with learning disabilities and behavioral issues. While striving to help the youngsters cope and succeed, the experience broadened Hoyer’s perspective.
“Teaching Special Ed you realize there are different learning styles,” he said. “I think this (understanding) can make me a better coach.
”You’ve got to create different ways to do things.”
His mantra, to which he credits former NFL coach Bill Parcells, reads: “Find a Way To Win.”
Hoyer has those words inscribed on a sign that was drawn by one of his former students.
VERSATILE ATHLETE
Growing up in Beaver Dam, Wis., Hoyer played high school basketball and football. An offensive tackle, he helped his team win a state championship in the helmet-rattling sport.
His introduction to volleyball came by watching his Dad’s recreational team and eventually he fell in love with the game. Though a self-taught player, Hoyer competed in college at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, earning all-conference honors.
“He was a good all-round player, able to do everything at a high level,” Bunn said.
Though a volleyball gym rat, Hoyer planned to get a PhD in history and become a college professor. But when offered a chance to work as a student assistant coach while an undergraduate, he changed his mind.
“It was either spend time in the library or the gym; I figured I had rather be in the gym,” said Hoyer, who is still is a voracious reader of history.
He also likes to ramble outdoors, ride his bike and go backpacking. Hoyer has pedaled a 100-miler -- in August, in hot, humid Texas. And each summer he hikes a week in the wilds with his brother-in-law.
On one memorable, but not so pleasant expedition, they huddled in a tent for 26 hours during a driving rain storm. Fortunately, both men are blessed with a sense of humor.
Hoyer's wife, Stephanie, is a fitness fiend as well and works as a personal trainer. She plans to continue in that profession when the family moves to Raleigh after second-grader Ethan gets out of school in Texas.
Meanwhile, Hoyer will be blazing the recruiting trails more than the bike trails, for Pete’s sake -- and N.C. State’s.
