James Barker is an American volleyball coach and former indoor player. He is currently the program director for Texas 432, an upcoming, highly-competitive indoor and sand club. He credits his competitive nature from his military service. A Blackhawk Operator, he has been on many critical missions and still made time to try out for the All Army team, as well as compete in the Army European Championships and USAEUR. The heightened level of caring he puts into everything he does, to go along with the need to be the very best at it, brings new meaning to the term "American hero."
Tune in, and we chat up Riley Salmon, competitive nature and earning respect, how he got into sport, the fun of playing with the 'Samoan' squad, connecting his upbringing to his coaching style, learning from mistakes, conquering psychological hang-ups in tight-game situations, managing personalities at the junior's level, the satisfaction of players exceeding expectations, his military service overseas, the volleyball connection in the military, the things that unite us where social media may divide us, Adam Johnson the human being, valuing each other's opinions without instantly judging, "Team Cup" volleyball, lefties hitting middle, the first "mirror offense" I have ever seen, real coaches vs glorified babysitters, the enjoyment of recognizing race in celebration and some satire, seeing a person as a person, and MORE!
