Diogo Silva

Diogo Silva is the Head Volleyball Coach at the University of San Francisco.

After spending a year on the bench as a volunteer assistant, Diogo Silva was promoted to the head coach of the USF volleyball team, on May 20, 2021. Silva is also the head coach of USF's beach volleyball program alongside Emily Cook and Nilo Mauricio.

Silva becomes the 12^th head coach in program history, taking the reins from the recently retired Frank Lavrisha. Silva, a native of Brazil, brings a wealth of experience from the professional level.

Under his leadership during the 2022 volleyball season, the Dons ended with a 14-15 overall record. Two players earned All-WCC Honors. One player was honored with Defensive Player of the Week and six Dons earned WCC All-Academic Honors.

Silva also brought in eight freshmen for the 2022 beach volleyball season.

“Diogo first caught my eye when I would watch practices in the fall at Frank’s behest,” said Director of Athletics Joan McDermott. “Then I got to spend the spring season analyzing him, watching how he would create and lead practices, observing his demeanor with our student-athletes. I knew at that time he was head coach material. His professional playing experience, combined with his unsurpassed knowledge and passion for the game, leads me to believe he is exactly the right person to build on the foundation Frank has given us.”

Silva first came to the Hilltop as a volunteer assistant in the fall of 2020. This past season, he was critical in organizing practices and working with the outside hitters. With a professional career spanning nearly 20 years, he was a highly acclaimed opposite playing in Brazil, Italy, Turkey, and Argentina.

Silva was a member of the Brazilian National Team in the 2005 World University Games, held in Izmir, Turkey. He helped guide his team to a fourth place finish, and as an individual he was recognized as the tournament’s best server and second-best attacker.

“I am honored with this opportunity to serve as head coach for the volleyball program at USF, and am looking forward to working with our talented staff and amazing student-athletes,” said Silva. “I appreciate all the great work done by Frank over the last five years and I accept the challenge to continue building on his legacy. I am also grateful to Frank for all the coaching and mentoring he gave me over the last season. I would not be as prepared as I am if it was not for this.”

He added: “Our philosophy will focus on hard work and respect for both USF as an institution and everyone around this great program. With my experience as a professional player and coach, along with my love for the great sport of volleyball, it will be a wonderful journey.”

Prior to serving as a volunteer assistant for the Dons, he served as a coach for Absolute Volleyball Club, working with young people ranging in age from 15 to 17.

Silva earned his degree in advertising and marketing from Universidade Paulista in 2003, he went on to earn graduate degrees in business administration from Universidade FAAP in 2005, and physical education from Universidade Taubaté in 2019.