Ayesha Khan

Currently coaching: Vital 13-2 Royal

Coach Khan grew up in NE Minneapolis, before attending St. Anthony Village K-12.  She began coaching whilst a player at Hamline.  She has coached more than 30 elite club and high school teams, dozens of camps, and has officiated boys’ and girls’ volleyball.  Ayesha once met with Hugh McCutcheon to volunteer as a coach for the Golden Gophers.  She is currently the head coach of the Hopkins Royals.  Having nearly reached State, she is most proud that in all nine seasons leading a varsity, her teams have been awarded Academic All State (because volleyball players are well rounded athletes–smart and good at managing time)!

Ayesha believes volleyball is a lifetime sport, still playing sand and indoor.  She also loves travel and has toured six continents twice over, visiting over 50 countries.  She and her daughter Lylah (13) most recently spent time in Japan.  Along with coaching, Ayesha is a FT government attorney and a PT realtor who loves remodeling old homes.  Her goal is to someday take a cruise to Antarctica, drop a giant sapphire into the sea before retiring to live on a beach in Mexico or Spain.

Don’t be surprised to see Coach Khan laughing on the sidelines with her players.  Her coaching philosophy has evolved over the years, but fundamental is that playing volleyball should be FUN!  Whilst she is ultra-competitive (from volleyball to jury trial to cards), motherhood and coaching youth volleyball have taught her patience.

Varsity or youth, Coach Khan holds her players to a high standard, often beyond what players are accustomed to outside the gym.  She knows firsthand the strong characteristics and invaluable life lessons gained from team sports.  She stays in contact with many former players and has seen them grow into accomplished young women.  From physical health and mental toughness to managing disappointment and learning to collaborate, this sport provides so much.  For Coach Khan, more important than winning 100’s of matches, volleyball has awarded her countless meaningful relationships and fond memories!