Head Volleyball Coach
Jim Dietz is in his fifth season as head coach of the Lincoln Land volleyball program, compiling a 135-63 record in his first four years. In his first season as coach of the Loggers, Dietz led the team to a 29-21 record and its first post-season trophy as the squad finished as Regional Runner-Up (the equivalent of a super-sectional appearance). In 2007, the Loggers finished 38-14 and finished as Regional Runner-up again, losing to the team that finished third in the nation. The finish was similar in 2008 and 2009 as the squad went 34-14 each season, but finishing as Regional Runner-Up for a fourth consecutive year, losing to a Final Four team for the fourth consecutive year as well. The 2008 squad ended the year ranked #18 in the nation, while the 2009 squad reached #12 in the polls, the highest position ever for LLCC.
Dietz is a respected figure in central Illinois volleyball having built the St. Anthony High School program in Effingham, leading it to its first ever winning season, regional and sectional titles, first 30-win seasons (in any sport), and its first state-qualifying volleyball team, and in just eight seasons, became the winningest coach in St. Anthony history (for all sports).
As a high school coach and now at LLCC, Dietz has worked with other teams and area hospitals to begin charity matches, benefiting hospitals and organizations which help women fighting breast cancer. The "Pink Game" hosted by LLCC each year raises money for the Carol Jo Vecchie Women's Center.
Dietz is involved in club volleyball, serving currently as assistant director and technical director for the Capital Area Volleyball Club in Springfield. In addition, he also helped found the Crossroads Volleyball Club in 1997, serving as its technical director. Before that, he coached with the Twin City (Champaign) Volleyball Club. In addition to his work as a club coach, during the summer of 1999, Dietz worked as a volunteer coach for the World University Games team during their training in Chicago under the tutelage of U.S. National Youth Team head coach, Jim Stone.
Before moving to central Illinois and coaching club, high school, and junior high, Dietz worked three years as an assistant at Ohio State (including the 1994 NCAA Final Four squad) and for one year with the Iowa State volleyball program.
Dietz has nineteen years experience as an instructor and coach at the high school and college levels. He has an M.A. in History from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in English/Composition from Iowa State University.
Dietz is married to the former Julie Tresnak. They have three children: Erick (16), Brigitte (13), and Michael (9).
Email: Jim.Dietz@llcc.edu
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Stephanie Leonard is in her fourth year as the assistant coach at Lincoln Land Community College. Before coming to Lincoln Land, Stephanie was the varsity head coach at Rochester High School, winning regional and conference titles. She has also worked as an assistant and junior high coach at Glenwood and South Fork-Kincaid, as well as Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights. In addition to her LLCC recruiting and coaching duties, Stephanie is the club director and co-founder of the Capital Area Volleyball Club, managing several elite travel teams as well as a ten team high school league program.
In addition to her coaching duties, Stephanie is a Taylorville High School faculty member teaching Business and Computer classes and also serves as an adjunct instructor for Lincoln Land at the Taylorville and Litchfield campuses. Stephanie received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Consumer Economics and has a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from National-Lewis University in Chicago.
Stephanie was married this year to Joe Leonard and they currently reside in Kincaid.
Email: smerano@llcc.edu