Leo R Sayles

Leo R. Sayles’ coaching experience spans a 40+ year career at the college, high school, and middle school levels.

An award-winning educator and coach, Sayles experience includes over 20 years as a college women's volleyball coach (NAIA, NCAA Div. 1 and Div. 3), and over 14 seasons at the high school or club level. He served numerous years as a successful high school track coach, with successful stints coaching boys and girls basketball and soccer. He enjoyed success with athletes in North Carolina, Illinois, Connecticut, and California.

Sayles served as a youth pastor and minister of music in urban, suburban, and rural churches over a 15 year span. After transitioning from pastoral ministry into coaching, he served several years as a college Sunday School teacher. In his 20+ years as a pastor, teacher, and speaker, Sayles has combined sports analogies and stories to highlight biblical teaching.

Sayles has led seminars and regional training in youth ministry, music ministry, and Christian education.

His first book, "Ordering Our Steps: Committing Life & Sport to Christ" was the #1 Hot New Release in the Youth Ministry Category in June 2018.

His second book, "Ordering Our Steps 2; Focused on Christ" was the #1 New Release in the Teen & Young Adult Christian Values & Virtues category in 2021.

Sayles collaborated with Jamy Bechler to co-author his third book, "The Volleyball Trip," which shot to #1 Best Selling book in Volleyball in the summer of 2024.

Sayles currently serves as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach/Associate Athletic Director for Sport Ministry at Grove City College in Grove City, PA. He previously served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC and Bryan College in Dayton, TN. He and his wife, Tanya, have raised 5 children during their 30+ years of marriage.