Scott McGee knows he’s walking into a volleyball program where people care. There is tradition to build on, a community paying attention and a group of athletes preparing to prove what they can do. Now, there is a new coach leading them.
After his time at Montague, McGee takes over the North Muskegon varsity volleyball program with a background that also includes developing athletes through club volleyball. For McGee, the opportunity brings together his passion for coaching, his offseason work with young athletes and his desire to invest close to home.
“North Muskegon was the right fit for me because it aligns with both my business and my passion for developing young athletes,” McGee said. “Many of my customers and the athletes I train during the offseason through my AAU club are in the local area, so I wanted the opportunity to stay close to home and invest in this community.”
The timing, he said, “couldn’t have worked out any better.”
And since taking over, McGee has discovered that the opportunity may be even bigger than he initially imagined.
“The volleyball culture at North Muskegon is second to none,” McGee said. “The passion for the sport and the commitment to the program from the athletes, families, and community make it easy to be excited about being a part of it.”
It’s a program with an established tradition. McGee’s job now is to help write its next chapter.
Building Players — and People
McGee has a clear vision for what he wants North Muskegon volleyball to represent.
Accountability. Selflessness. A team-first mentality. And athletes who understand the game at a high level.
But underneath all of it is a coaching philosophy focused on the person wearing the uniform.
“My coaching style is built on an empathetic approach to developing athletes, not only as volleyball players, but as people,” McGee said. “I strive to teach the game while helping athletes become selfless teammates who hold themselves accountable, support one another, and take pride in their growth both on and off the court.”
McGee wants his players to develop a high volleyball IQ and understand what’s happening around them on the court. He wants accountability and selflessness to become habits rather than ideas coaches have to continually reinforce.
Ultimately, he wants those lessons to extend beyond volleyball and influence how his athletes approach their teammates and their lives away from the gym.
That philosophy also shapes how McGee defines success.
“Success this season is not measured solely by wins and losses,” he said. “To me, success is building a team and a community that embraces our philosophy of selflessness, accountability, and continuous growth.”
That doesn’t mean the scoreboard doesn’t matter. McGee wants North Muskegon to compete. But he believes what happens before and between those matches will ultimately influence what happens during them.
Setting the Foundation
That’s what excites McGee about his first season. He has an opportunity to establish the expectations and habits that could shape the program beyond one year.
“What I’m looking forward to most in my first season as head coach is building a culture that our athletes, coaches, and community can be proud of,” McGee said.
He wants his players to become better volleyball athletes, but also better teammates and leaders who value hard work, accountability and selflessness.
The biggest goal follows that same philosophy. If North Muskegon’s players can commit to improving each day, compete for one another and take pride in representing their school, McGee believes the results will follow.
So far, he’s encouraged by what he’s seen.
“I’ve been impressed with this group’s willingness to learn and the effort they’ve put in throughout the summer,” McGee said. “They’ve shown great commitment, they’ve been coachable, and [have been] an absolute pleasure to be around.”
Soon, that work will be tested.
Ready for the Competition
North Muskegon’s schedule will provide plenty of opportunities to find out how much progress the Norsemen have made.
McGee knows the level of competition within the conference will demand it.
“Our conference is full of talented teams and well-respected coaches, so we know every match is going to be a challenge,” McGee said. “I see that as an opportunity.”
Rather than worrying about the quality of the opponent across the net, McGee wants his players concentrating on what they can control.
That means continuing to improve. It also means being disciplined, consistent and committed to doing the small things correctly.
Against the conference’s best teams, McGee believes North Muskegon will have to play confidently, communicate, minimize unforced errors and trust one another.
“If we stay focused on getting better every day and embrace our team-first mentality, we’ll put ourselves in a positive mindset to compete with anyone,” he said.
Those expectations have been shaped in part by McGee’s experiences away from high school volleyball.
Club Volleyball Shapes McGee’s Approach
Coaching with Inside Out Volleyball has given McGee another perspective on developing athletes and building a program.
“Coaching with Inside Out Volleyball has had a tremendous impact on me,” McGee said. “It reinforced the importance of teaching the game the right way, building strong relationships with athletes, and creating a culture where accountability and growth come first.”
McGee has been able to work with high-level athletes and learn from other coaches through the club program, experiences that have helped shape the standards he’s bringing to North Muskegon.
Just as importantly, club volleyball helped him develop relationships. Two of those relationships will now benefit North Muskegon.
Leah Ellis and Kloe Klotz are joining McGee as varsity assistant coaches. Both bring extensive club coaching experience and competed at the collegiate level.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have Leah and Kloe on our staff,” McGee said, “and I know their experience and leadership will have a positive impact on our program this season.”
McGee wants North Muskegon to become a team of intelligent volleyball players. Now he has a staff with the experience to help develop them.
A Community Behind the Program
McGee also believes building the program will require more than the coaches and athletes inside the gym.
Since taking over, he’s been struck by the support surrounding North Muskegon volleyball.
“I’ve felt incredibly welcomed by the North Muskegon community,” McGee said. “From the athletes and families to the school administration and alumni, everyone has been supportive and excited about the future of the program.”
For McGee, that support can become an important part of what his athletes experience.
A gym filled with families, classmates, alumni and community members can provide energy and confidence.
It can also provide perspective.
“When athletes see their families, classmates, alumni, and community members behind them, it creates an atmosphere that’s bigger than volleyball,” McGee said. “That support builds pride, confidence, and a sense of responsibility to represent North Muskegon the right way.”
McGee wants his team to give that support back by creating a program the community can be proud of.
And that’s connected to one of the biggest reasons he coaches in the first place.
Watching Athletes Grow
For all the competition surrounding high school sports, McGee’s favorite moments aren’t necessarily victories. They’re moments of growth.
“My favorite part of coaching is watching athletes grow — not just as volleyball players, but as people,” McGee said. “Seeing them gain confidence, overcome challenges, and accomplish things they didn’t think were possible is incredibly rewarding.”
McGee will have an entire season to watch that process unfold at North Muskegon. His players will face good teams. They’ll make mistakes. They’ll have opportunities to respond to adversity, trust each other and put the principles they’ve talked about throughout the summer into practice.
And when the season is finished, McGee already knows what he hopes people will remember.
“I hope people see a team that is known for its effort, character, and commitment to each other,” he said. “I want North Muskegon Volleyball to be recognized as a program that competes with passion, integrity, and represents our school and community with pride.”
Most importantly, McGee wants people to see a group that cares about one another and is “building something special together.”
The philosophy is in place. The coaching staff is assembled. The players have spent the summer working and learning. And the community is behind them.
Now comes the part that can’t be answered in the preseason.
How will Scott McGee and the North Muskegon Norsemen put it all together when the matches begin?
If you are interested in more of our content, head to our website at catchmarksports.com, our YouTube, or our Facebook page! This coverage is powered by CatchMark Technologies: learn more at catchmarkit.com. Where you can find all of you MSP and Technology needs.
