Vélez is entering his first season as an assistant coach for the Flyer women's volleyball program led by Lorelee Smith
Hailing from Lares, Puerto Rico. Vélez brings along impeccable coaching experience and a winning background.
From June 2018 to June 2022 Iona University Head Coach. New York DI MAAC
Vélez joined Gael Nation after five seasons as an assistant coach with the Pride. Hofstra won two Colonial Athletics Association conference championships, the first in his debut year in 2014, and the second coming in his last season with the program. The Pride won at least 18 games during his tenure, including 20+ games in four seasons. They had a 57-23 (.713) conference record and the program reached at least the CAA championship semifinals in each of Vélez seasons with the team. While in Hempstead, Vélez coached numerous Colonial award winners. In his five years, Velez helped coach 15 All-CAA Team members, including five first team honorees. The Pride had five freshmen named to the CAA All-Rookie Team and had two named the conference Rookie of the Year. There were also three Setter of the Year award winners and one Player of the Year victor. The 2019 Pride volleyball program was honored with the NCAA Public Recognition Award as it had multi-year APRs in the top-10 of all teams within volleyball. It was the fourth time the program was recognized for the achievement. While at Hofstra, Vélez also served as an admissions counselor, where he aided the university in informational sessions, college fairs, campus tours, prospect interviews and the application process. Outside of collegiate volleyball, Vélez brings a wealth of experience at the club and international level. Velez spent six years as an Assistant coach a for the Volleyball Federation of Puerto Rico. During his time, he was a part of one women's professional championship team in 2012- and two-men’s squads that raced to the finals. His duties with the organization included scouting, preparing both offensive and defensive game plans and forming individual practice plans for the athletes.
Vélez also brought a wealth of international coaching experience to the Pride as he has taken various teams to 30 FIVB competitions (Pan-American Games, Central & Caribbean Games, NORCECA, World League, Grand Prix, World Championships and Club World Championships) in 15 countries since 2009. From 2014 to 2019, Velez-Perez has served as the head coach for three respective age groups with Club Ace Long Island Volleyball located out of Hempstead, New York. His years of experience aid in his various duties which include, but are not limited to, overseeing and mentoring assistant coaches, evaluating junior players, advising such players on the recruiting process and communicating with parents on matters such as skill development and travel itineraries.
Vélez also brought a wealth of international coaching experience to the Pride as he has taken various teams to 30 FIVB competitions (Pan-American Games, Central & Caribbean Games, NORCECA, World League, Grand Prix, World Championships and Club World Championships) in 15 countries since 2009.
Esai is married to Rachel Vélez; Associate Athletics Director for Human Resources at Northwestern University.
International Experience
.Puerto Rico
· 2009 FIVB Men’s and Women’s World Championship Qualification, Caguas, PR
· 2009 XXI Men’s and Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship, Bayamon, PR
· 2010 Men’s Central American Caribbean Games, Mayaguez, PR
· 2011 XXII Men’s and Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship, Caguas, PR
· 2011 FIVB Men’s World League, San Juan, PR
· 2013 FIVB Women’s World Grand Prix, Mayaguez, PR
· 2014 FIVB Men’s World Championship Qualification*, Ponce, PR
· 2014 FIVB Men’s World League*, Carolina, PR
II. United States
· 2009 NORCECA VIII Women’s Pan-American Cup, Miami, FL
· 2011 FIVB Men’s World League, Long Beach, CA
· 2013 Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship, Omaha NE
III. Dominican Republic
· 2013 FIVB Women’s World Grand Prix, Santo Domingo, DR
IV. Mexico
· 2010 NORCECA X Women’s Pan-American Cup, Tijuana, MX
· 2011 NORCECA XI Women’s Pan-American Cup, Chihuahua, MX
· 2012 NORCECA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, Tijuana, MX
V. Canada
· 2013 IX NORCECA Men’s Pan-American Cup, Gatineau, Quebec
VI. Peru
· 2010 Peru Volleyball Federation UNIQUE CUP, Callao, Lima
· 2013 NORCECA Women’s XII Pan-American Cup, Miraflores District, Lima
VII. Brazil
· 2011 FIVB Men’s World League, Sao Paulo, BRA
VIII. Argentina
· 2011 FIVB U-19 Boys World Championship, Buenos Aires, ARG
IX. Poland
· 2011 FIVB Men’s World League, Plock, POL
X. Qatar
· 2013 FIVB Women’s World Club Championship, Doha, QAT
XI. Thailand
· 2013 FIVB Women’s World Grand Prix, Bangkok, THA
XII. China
· 2012 Women’s FIVB World Grand Prix, Macau and Luohe, CHN
· 2013 China Volleyball Association Invitational Tournament, Ningbo, CHN
XIII. Japan
· 2010 Women’s FIVB World Championship, Sendai and Hamamatsu, JPN
· 2012 FIVB Women’s World Grand Prix, Nagoya and Komaki, JPN
XIV. Honduras
· 2013 XIV ODUCC University Games, Tegucigalpa, HON
XV. Slovakia
2014 FIVB Men’s World League*, Kosice, SLV
