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University of British Columbia Okanagan

Steve Manuel

Manuel has been at the helm of the Heat since 2001/02 and has led the program to national prominence in his time with the program. 

He led the team to five straight Canada West final fours between 2013/14 and 2017/18 and helped the team capture the first U SPORTS Medal in school history back in 2015/16 when they captured a bronze in Brandon, Manitoba.

In 2012/13 he collected Coach of the Year honours in both Canada West and U SPORTS.

Prior to joining the Canada West, Manuel led the Heat to their first BCCAA Provincial Championship in 2008-09 and going on to win the CCAA National Title.

If there could be one thing better than winning a national championship, it is winning it twice, a feat Steve accomplished in 2009/10 as he went back to back in winning both the provincial and national gold medal. "2008/09 everything came together down the stretch, it was the end result of many years of hard work."

Manuel has helped the Heat to the postseason in all but four seasons dating back to his inception in 2001 with the then Okanagan College Lakers.

Steve is no stranger to volleyball in the Okanagan. From 1996-2008, he was Volleyball BC's Okanagan Regional Coach and High Performance director. 

 His career highlights also include: 
  • U SPORTS Coach of the Year - 2015
  • Canada West Coach of the Year - 2015
  • U SPORTS Coach of the Year - 2013
  • Canada West Coach of the Year - 2013
  • BCCAA National Champions 2011
  • CCAA National Champions 2010
  • BCCAA Provincial Champions - 2010
  • CCAA Coach of the Year for all sports - 2009
  • CCAA National Champions - 2009
  • BCCAA Provincial Champions - 2009
  • CCAA National Bronze Medalist - 2008
  • CCAA Volleyball Coach of the Year - 2008 & 2011
  • BCCAA Coach of the Year - 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009 & 2011
  • Assistant coach 19U Team BC Women, Canada Games – 2005
  • Assistant coach 18U Team BC Women; bronze medal at NTCC – 2004
  • Team staff 21U Team Canada Men, World Championships in Tehran, Iran – 2003
  • BCCAA Coach or the Year – 2002
  • Event organizer NORCECA Championship & World Championship Qualifier – 2002
  • Assistant coach 19U Team BC Men, Canada Games gold medal – 2001
  • Head coach K-Roos 18U Women, BC bronze medal and fifth at Nationals – 2000 and 2001
  • Guest coach Team Canada Senior Women – 1998
  • Assistant coach University of New Brunswick Men – 1994–96
  • Executive director, Volleyball New Brunswick – 1994–96

Coaching Record

Year    Team Overall League Playoff Season Finish Playoff Finish
GP W L % GP W L % GP W L %
2023/24 23 Heat 35 18 17 .514 24 10 14 .417 2 0 2 .000 7th in CW CW Quarter-finals
2022/23 22 Heat 33 20 13 .606 24 13 11 .542 2 0 2 .000 8th in CW CW Quarter-finals
2021/22 21 Heat 29 13 16 .448 16 8 8 .500 5 2 3 .400 3rd in CW West Division 2nd Round of CW Playoffs
2020/21 20 Heat -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2019/20 19 Heat 28  9 19 .320  24 7   17  .292 -- --  --  --  10th (CW)  --
2018/19 18 Heat 29 2 27 .074 24 2 22 .083 -- -- -- -- 13th (CW) --
2017/18  17   Heat 34  21  13 .618 24  19  5 .792  6 2 4 .333  3rd (CW) SF (CW), Consolation Finalists (U SPORTS)
 2016/17   16   Heat  38 24 14 .632  24 15 9 .625  5 2  3  .400  5th (CW) 4th (CW) 
2015/16 15 Heat 38 34 4 .895 24 22 2 .909 5 3 2 .667 1st (CW) 2nd (CW), 3rd (U SPORTS)
2014/15 14 Heat 34 25 9 .735 24 19 5 .792 4 2 2 .500 1st-tied (CW) 4th (CW)
2013/14 13 Heat 35 22 13 .629 22 12 10 .545 4 2 2 .500 7th (CW) 4th (CW)
2012/13 12 Heat 30 18 12 .600 22 15 7 .682 2 0 2 .000 3rd (CW) QF (CW)
2011/12 11 Heat 33 12 21 .364 20 6 14 .300 -- -- -- -- 9th (CW) --
2010/11 10 Heat 30 22 8 .733 14 13 1 .929 6 4 2 .667 1st (BCCAA) 1st (BCCAA), 4th (CCAA)
2009/10 9 Heat 22 21 1 .955 16 16 0 1.000 5 5 0 1.000 1st (BCCAA) 1st (BCCAA), 1st (CCAA)
2008/09 8 Heat 27 21 6 .778 16 14 2 .875 5 5 0 1.000 1st (BCCAA) 1st (BCCAA), 1st (CCAA)
2007/08 7 Lakers 37 28 9 .757 18 16 2 .889 6 4 2 .667 2nd (BCCAA) 2nd (BCCAA), 3rd (CCAA)
2006/07 6 Lakers 34 25 9 .735 16 13 3 .813 3 2 1 .667 3rd (BCCAA) 2nd (BCCAA)
2005/06 5 Lakers 33 25 8 .758 26 13 3 .813 2 1 1 .500 2nd (BCCAA) 3rd (BCCAA)
2004/05 4 Lakers 29 22 7 .759 20 18 2 .900 5 2 3 .400 1st  (BCCAA) 2nd (BCCAA), 6th (CCAA)
2003/04 3 Lakers 27 14 13 .519 18 9 9 .500 -- -- -- -- 6th (BCCAA) --
2002/03 2 Lakers 33 20 13 .606 18 10 8 .556 2 0 2 .000 6th (BCCAA) 6th (BCCAA)
2001/02 1 Lakers 21 12 9 .571 18 10 8 .556 3 2 1 .667 5th (BCCAA) 2nd (BCCAA)
Total: 689 428 261 .621 442 280 162 .633 72 38 34 .528