Full schedule for student, coach on court
Penn Hills coach Piccolino pulls double duty as player at Carlow College
It’s not that unusual to see an individual attend college at age 30 or later.
But it is unusual to see a 30-something college student/ college volleyball player who also coaches a high school athletic team.
Will Piccolino is doing the unusual.
Piccolino is in his second year as head boys volleyball coach at Penn Hills High School.
He is also in his fourth year at Carlow College, where he is a member of the men’s volleyball team. Men’s college volleyball is played in the spring, the same time as high school boys volleyball in Pennsylvania. On top of that, Piccolino was also on Carlow’s golf team last fall.
“It does get a bit challenging at times trying to fit everything into my schedule,” said Piccolino, who graduated from Penn Hills in 2008. “But I’m always up for a challenge.”
Piccolino, 33, had planned on attending college after graduating from high school, but it just didn’t work out.
“I only lasted one semester,” Piccolino said. “I just wasn’t ready for college at that time.”
Piccolino received a second opportunity to attend college four years ago after a tip from a fellow Penn Hills alumnus.
“Cory McGowan told me that Carlow College was starting a men’s volleyball program and that scholarship and grant money was available,” Piccolino said. “I checked into it and found that it was a great opportunity for me to attend college and play volleyball.”
Piccolino, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, was one of seven players on Carlow’s inaugural team in 2021 and is now completing his fourth year with the Celtics.
“There is no age limit in NAIA,” said Piccolino, who is two months away from his 34th birthday. “I’m always the oldest player on the court. I haven’t faced a player older than 24.”
Piccolino also had an interest in coaching prior to attending Carlow.
“I helped [former Penn Hills coach] Jay Mitlo as a volunteer coach for approximately five years, including my first two years at Carlow,” Piccolino said. “After the 2022 season, Jay told me he was retiring and that he recommended me as head coach.”
Piccolino was a bit apprehensive about taking on a head coaching job while attending college and playing at the same time but decided to take on the challenge.
“Last season was more of a whirlwind,” Piccolino said. “I didn’t get hired until January, and we couldn’t schedule any competitions on Wednesday and Saturday because I had college games.”
Piccolino has continued juggling his playing and coaching schedules this season and was even able to enter Penn Hills in a tournament despite a conflict with his Carlow schedule.
“We played in the Norwin tournament [on March 23], but I also had a Carlow match that day,” Piccolino said. “I coached as long as I could, then turned the team over to my assistant, Todd Heller, and drove to Oakland for my Carlow match.”
In fact, that whole week was a real challenge for Piccolino.
“I had a Carlow match on the 20th, then coached at Penn Hills the following day,” he said. “On Saturday [March 23], I coached at the Norwin tournament and played at Carlow. I was off on Sunday, then coached in two Penn Hills matches on Monday and Tuesday and played in a Carlow match on Wednesday.
“It’s a challenging schedule, especially since I’m also attending classes. Fortunately, the college season ends on Wednesday. I’ll have a little more time to devote to the high school team.”
And if that wasn’t enough, Piccolino added another sport to his busy schedule last fall.
“Prior to the start of the school year, I heard that the golf team needed a few players,” Piccolino said. “I had golfed as a hobby but never coached or trained in the sport. I’m learning a lot about the game of golf. It’s a lot more relaxing and not as demanding as playing volleyball.”
Piccolino still has one more semester to complete his degree in data analytics, which means he will return for the fall semester.
“I plan on playing golf again in the fall,” Piccolino said. “I even have another year of volleyball eligibility [due to COVID-19], but I haven’t decided whether I want to play another year.”
Piccolino has two other options to consider.
“[Penn Hills athletic director] Steph [Strauss] asked me about coaching the girls team,” said Piccolino, referring to the fact that Strauss coached the girls team in the fall when she couldn’t find a qualified coach. “I’m not sure I could handle both teams.”
He also has the option of becoming a referee during the girls season.
“They are always looking for new referees,” Piccolino said. “It’s a lot less stress than coaching.”
Piccolino will wait until after the boys season to make a decision on his plans for the fall.
One thing is certain. Strauss is happy to have Piccolino as boys coach.
“Will is in a unique position as a college student-athlete and head boys volleyball coach,” Strauss said. “I think it makes him a better coach — being able to see the game from a player’s perspective. Our team’s volleyball IQ continues to grow along with their love for the game, and Will is a big part of that. It’s also admirable how he is able to balance being a full-time student, college athlete and find time to give back to his alma mater as head volleyball coach.”
Penn Hills has a 2-2 record this season, including a 0-1 mark in Class 3A Section 3. The Indians play host to Hempfield on Thursday. His final match of the season for Carlow is Wednesday against Hiram College.