Q&A INTERVIEW฀BY฀TOM฀FEUER฀•฀PHOTO:฀PETER฀BROUILLET

GOLDEN HIRE The era begins at USC

ometimes you can get a call that can change the direc- tion of your life. Such was the case for Dain Blanton on a fateful day five years ago. USC Beach Coach Anna Collier was on the other end of the line Sand wanted to gauge Dain’s interest in becoming an assistant coach for the Trojans. Blanton’s pedigree certainly stood out to Collier. A winner from the womb. As a sophomore at Pepperdine in 1992, he was an integral part of the Waves’ NCAA champions indoors. But it was the beach where he really stood out. A 15-year professional career on the AVP and FIVB circuits featuring 11 victories, back before players could pad their statistics by winning smaller FIVB tournaments. His first title was a big one, in Hermosa Beach, in 1997, with Canyon Ceman. They beat Jose Loiola and , who had won an Olympic gold medal the previous year in Atlanta. In 1998, Dain changed partners and teamed up with . They decided to make an Olympic run of their own. Two years later they were on the periphery, needing a Hail Mary to make the USA team. They showed up at the last qualifying event, an FIVB tourney in Ostend, Belgium needing not only a high finish for themselves but a low finish for and Adam Johnson. Kiraly, the defending Olympic gold medalist, lived for just those moments. But it was not to be this time. An injury forced an early withdrawal from the tournament, an ignominious 33rd place and 14 points to Blanton and Fonoi’s 272 points for third place. As unlikely as it seemed, Dain and Eric had booked passage to Sydney for the Games. They were expected to be non-factors, as evidenced by their ninth seed, but a funny DAIN’S REIGN: Dain thing happened in Bondi Beach. They won their first four Blanton is ready to lead matches and found themselves inexplicably in the gold medal the Trojans. (Photo: Peter match against third-seeded and heavily favored Ze Marco and Brouillet) Ricardo of Brazil. The latter duo had won five FIVB tourna-

20 digbeachvolleyball.com | 2020 #1 ments in 2000 in the leadup to Sydney and had finished second on three other When I heard that news, my whole timeline got accelerated and I had to occasions. Ricardo was the “Wall,” the most dominant blocker on the beach. make a decision. Do I want to go for the position of head coach, and is this Ze Marco was like a Swiss Army knife. He had all the precision shots and then something that is possible where I could get hired? If I had to pick any job, it some. The final was held September 26th in the heart of Sydney’s spring, and it would have been right here at USC, not only for proximity to where I live (in was chilly, windy, and there were even some drops of rain. Blanton and Fonoi Santa Monica) but also the athletic department support and their reputation of had videotaped Ze Marco and had a line on his tendencies. It proved to be a excellence and putting a lot on academics as well as athletics. I didn’t want to big difference-maker. In a match that lasted 1:41 during the end of the sideout go to a school where athletics were second rate. era, the Americans came away with a stunning, 12-11 and 12-9 win. Let the celebration begin. What were the main aspects of coaching you learned from Anna? Dain wasn’t through with the Olympics. Four years later, he became the Anna’s pretty blunt and pretty old school and straightforward. I could see first USA player to make two Olympic teams. He partnered what athletes responded to different situations. (There was) no BS with her. with – in an ironic twist, Nygaard is currently the USC men’s in- She is going to call it like it is, and sometimes that can be a little controver- door coach – but finished a disappointing 19th. Blanton played for four more sial and other times athletes respond really well to that. I saw her take a few years but, at the same time, started to branch out in his professional life. He different approaches, but probably the biggest thing was her competitive fire. was in demand as a public speaker and soon parlayed that into a flourishing She wants to win. She is very intense and that desire to win and to make things broadcast career that not only included calling men’s and women’s beach and happen was one of the biggest aspects of what I saw from her. indoor but the Los Angeles Clippers for Fox. Blanton is now head beach coach at USC following Collier’s retirement last What is the Dain Blanton coaching philosophy? June. The takeaway from interactions with him is how approachable, sincere I want students to know that if they come here their game is going to and positive he is. He always has time for people and always projects that laid- improve tremendously. But not only will their game improve, I hope they im- back Southern California vibe. prove as individuals and human beings. Our goal is not only to make you the When Blanton spoke to DiG, he was just coming back from an all-coaches best player you can be and prepare you for the next level if you desire, but also meeting with new USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn, then headed out to the to get a great education and be a great representative of the university. At the sand for practice. end of the day, I want people to say that this program is a lot of fun, it’s very competitive, and it’s a no-nonsense thing where we are trying to create DiG: How did the USC job come to the best individuals on the court fruition? and off. DB: I was on the road doing We’re trying to recruit players some broadcasting up at Stanford, of high integrity and character and I got a call from Anna Collier, that want to go to that next level, who I had known since the mid- whether that’s professional or going 1990s. She said, “Would you be after the Olympics. I like when they interested in volunteer assisting have more aspirations after school for the women’s beach volleyball because they are going to be more team here at USC?” At the time, I effective at this level. Case in point didn’t have my finger on the pulse — a Kelly Claes or a Sara Hughes, of what was really happening at the Nicolette Martin, Allie Wheeler, collegiate level for women, so I said, Sophie Bukovec, Terese Cannon. “Let me think about it, and let me They are all still playing, and I think come meet with the team to see if I that is crucial. wanted to dedicate my time to it.” At the time, Misty May was in You mentioned earlier that this was the position but was no longer going the job for you. Yet your alma mater to continue because she was having a is Pepperdine. What makes USC so baby and had some other responsi- special for you? bilities. I came to a practice and the Proximity to where I live here in girls were really classy and respectful, Santa Monica. I take the Expo line dedicated, passionate and that’s and get off right on campus. It may when I first met Sara Hughes, Kelly Claes, Allie Wheeler, Nicolette Martin, be a small thing, but I don’t have to tell you (how difficult it is to maneuver and Sophie Bukovec, all the girls that were part of that squad. around Los Angeles). Literally, I don’t drive to work. I take the train. I thought it was really cool, and I saw the courts for the first time over here I love the fact that we have courts on campus. That is something that on Figueroa Street (on USC’s campus) and then I said that I would do it. That Pepperdine does not have. They are still playing at Zuma Beach. I don’t know was in 2015. We went on to win the AVCA National Championship in Gulf whether you have to have a football team to have a really successful athletic Shores (Alabama). It wasn’t yet an NCAA sport and then (we) came back (the program or not, but I know it doesn’t hurt the funding or support you get. next year) and it was extremely important for the team to win the first ever If the SEC was huge in beach volleyball, that would be something that you NCAA championship, and we ended up doing that. Basically, going back-to- would look at as well. They take athletics very seriously. back, and then in 2017 we ended up doing it again. (But) I just love the environment, like this morning, where you had the It was funny, you would think 2017 would be a walk in the park, but it was coaches meeting and you can tell that everyone has one goal: to make their the most difficult one, the one we barely won. I continued to be the volun- athletes better and to win some championships. teer assistant in 2018, and after that season I decided four years was enough and I wanted to do more broadcasting. ESPN wanted me to do the national What would you tell Claes and Hughes when you were coaching them up at USC? championships; they dedicate a lot of resources to that (event). I ended up in The number one thing is, “What is the culture going to be like?” I like to the 2019 season (working) for ESPN in Gulf Shores. get players focusing on principles and adhering to those principles and not fo- I remember landing in New York to broadcast an AVP event (for NBC), cusing as much on outcome and scores. I believe that if you stick to principles, and I got a text: did you hear the news? That was when I found out Anna was the score will take care of itself. retiring, and that was a little earlier than what she always told me, which was We were always playing different games with (Hughes and Claes). Here you like 2021, 2022 – something like that. are playing to 21, but maybe their goal is to keep an opponent under 10. Or 2020 #1 | digbeachvolleyball.com 21 Dain Blanton and I think I was very fortunate to spend four years (at Pepperdine) – learning how to win, work with teammates and compete at that level. From a player standpoint, the biggest influences were Sinjin (Smith), Randy (Stoklos) and Karch Kiraly. Karch ended up being an opponent. When you’re growing up, you never think you would ac- tually play against him. And then all of a sudden in 2000 we are competing for an Olympic spot. I always loved playing Karch because I thought he brought out the best in me. I always tell players that if you are the best player on your court, then you need to go find another court because you always want to be playing up and surrounding yourself with great people. I remember in the 1996 season, Canyon Ceman and I would play Karch and Kent once a week in the preseason and that made our game so much better. But then we ended up playing them in a final early in that season (Fort Myers, Florida, March 31st), in our first final, and almost beating them after being up 13-8 and ended up losing 16-14 (sideout scoring). After that we didn’t have those practice sessions anymore. They did not want to be competing during the week with a team that they might be playing in the final.

With Tina Graudina taking a redshirt season to prepare for the Olympics for Latvia, who will be the leaders on your team? That’s an interesting one. Last year Abril Busta- mante was that leader along with Terese Cannon. They were both seniors. Right now, we have only two seniors, Joy Dennis and Cammie Dorn. The captains will be Joy and Haley Hallgren. They’re natural leaders, and they have taken those reins. I let the team know real quick that it is their team. I will guide them, but they are driving the bus.

Beach volleyball it seems has evolved quite a bit with data analytics and video analysis. How much of this will be utilized by you at USC? And how has it changed since you were a player? It’s huge. The only difference with video (from when I was a player) was we were cutting up VHS tape. Now, it’s all digital, so it saves you a tremen- dous amount of time. If you do enough analysis, a lot of times you will know more about a player than the player knows about themselves. I was just at a tourna- ment up at Zuma (Beach) and one court had six cameras (on it). This is the offseason! So everybody is trying to get data and figure out one or two points because I honestly can say I won the gold medal by one or two points, a fingernail here or a lateral step there as a blocker. You just never know what that one tip is going to SYDNEY SUCCESS: Dain Blanton and partner Eric Fonoimoana had a golden ending to the 2000 Olympics. (Photo: Peter Brouillet) be that gets you over the top.

we would play mini games within a game. Can you coaching standpoint, a huge influence is Marv Between your broadcasting work for the AVP on NBC get five points on this side on a seven-point switch? Dunphy (former Pepperdine men’s indoor coach, and Amazon Prime, as well as your analysis for the It wasn’t like we were playing for what everyone USA men’s coach 1988 Olympics). By playing at world feed on the Beach Majors and World Champion- else was looking for from the scoreboard. Pepperdine and winning the national champion- ships you have sat ringside at the biggest tourna- ship in 1992 and learning that mentality that you ments in the world in the last quadrennial. Who do you Who were your major volleyball influencers? need to focus on principles and winning. I think like for the gold medals in Tokyo? I always look at everybody (because) everyone that has helped me my entire career. I think people With the men, anything can happen. You’ve has something positive to offer, but of course there that go to the beach directly without any formal got those Russians (Viacheslav Krasilnikov and have been stronger influences over time. From a team training can sometimes lack that extra edge, Oleg Stoyanovskiy) that have won the World

22 digbeachvolleyball.com | 2020 #1 MIC’D UP: Dain Blanton has proven he can be multi-dimensional as a player, coach and announcer. (Photo: FIVB)

Championships. If I had to pick a favorite, it them and told them you are getting so many bene- athlete can take control of their name and likeness would be the Norwegians (Anders) Mol and fits at this level (collegiately at USC) that are going and make a living off of it, the AVP is a great (Christian) Sorum. (They are) so young, so pol- to disappear next year. From sports psychology, to platform for individuals. The way each player uses ished already, but yet have a larger potential and conditioning, to athletic training, to coaching, and it gets very interesting. upside than anyone I have seen out there. It is just travel booked for you. the matter of them playing at the right time, at the The opportunities are there, but not as wide- In a nutshell, what has this journey been like for you? right level, that is the hardest thing. I feel really fortunate. No one expected us to On the women’s side, a tough one, but let me win the Olympics. I think we kind of shocked go out on a limb and say that April (Ross) and the volleyball community. I think to this day Alix (Klineman) will be a tough out for the top I like to get players arguably that win is the biggest upset in the histo- spot. But I really like Canada with (Sarah) Pavan “ ry of the sport. People always say, “Did it change and Melissa Humana-Paredes. focusing on principles you?” I don’t think it changed me as much other I really like the way April has handled her than from a confidence standpoint.” career. I think it would be the perfect end to and adhering to those It changed the way people respond around her story, and it might not be the end, but the you, and it also opens up a lot of opportunity perfect next chapter. But it’s going to be tough to principles and not focusing because that gold medal is so coveted in every get through Brazil, to get through Canada, and aspect of the world because everyone knows the who knows where (German gold medalist) Laura as much on outcome and universal symbol of what that gold medal is. I Ludwig will be, and who she will be with, and have been able to leverage that and get into doors whether she will be a factor. The women’s side is scores. I believe that if you that I could not have gotten into and speak to stacked, the men’s side is stacked, but I am going different groups and corporations and parlay that to go out on a limb and give you Norway and the stick to principles, the score into speaking to a lot of students. I love to help United States. will take care of itself. out students. ” I went back to the Olympics in 2004, which With this new position at USC does it still allow for was a huge goal of mine – to be the first Amer- broadcasting and will you be in Tokyo at the Olympics ican male to compete in two Olympic (beach) for NBC? Games. And (I have been) fortunate enough to I actually got the call to do the (Olympics) side- spread for so many people to make it a career be inducted into the CBVA Hall of Fame and then line reporting. They (NBC) were happy with what as maybe it was for men in the early to mid 90s the AVP Wall of Champions. I thought that was I have been doing with the AVP. USC was fine where the AVP was really flourishing. But (at the really cool to get that honor. with it, with doing the AVP stuff and the Olym- same time), you did not have the FIVB as strong I have tried to handle myself with class and pics, because it is the offseason in the summer. as it is now either. You have to be one of the top character and surround myself with good people three (USA) teams playing, not only domestically and try to go hard and adhere to certain principles. What do you tell your players about professional but internationally, to make a living, and you have And I now am in a dream job for me. Every day post-graduate playing opportunities? How does it com- to be marketable as well. I get the opportunity to help shape young people’s pare to the days when you were playing on the circuit? One thing that is stronger (than in the past) is lives in that transition period to the real world. It is such a different time. There was so much the platform of the AVP. It is back at that level. You hear it all the time, there is no better job more money to be won (in the 1990s). Before Sara I would like to see them add a few more tourna- than to be a coach and help others achieve their and Kelly went professional, we sat down with ments. Nowadays, with social media, and how an goals. DiG 2020 #1 | digbeachvolleyball.com 23