Roel De Anda, head volleyball coach at Eastlake High School, reached a major milestone on Oct. 23, earning his 350th career coaching victory.
“Honestly, I feel incredibly blessed and humbled to reach this milestone. While 350 wins is certainly something I am proud of, it is not an achievement that belongs to me alone. Over the past 24 years of coaching, I have been fortunate to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, administrators, families, and communities who have all played a role in this journey,” De Anda said.
The school will honor De Anda on Oct. 30, following Eastlake’s match against Permian High School. During the ceremony, he will receive a commemorative banner, plaque and custom volleyball recognizing the achievement.
De Anda joined Eastlake High School in 2022, and since then, he has guided the Falcons to two consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, four consecutive Area Championships, four Bi-District Championships and three District Championships. Under his leadership, several student-athletes have earned scholarships to continue their volleyball careers at colleges and universities, reflecting the program’s success both on and off the court.
“The greatest blessing has been the opportunity to coach the many players who have come through my programs. They have taught me just as much as I have taught them, and I continue to learn something new every season. Watching young athletes grow, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals has always been the most rewarding part of coaching,” De Anda said.
A Clint High School graduate, De Anda attended Texas A&M University at Galveston and began his coaching career in 2009 at Bowie High School. He later became head volleyball coach at El Dorado High School in 2015, where he led the program to five playoff appearances, three district titles and six bi-district championships during his seven-year tenure.
De Anda credited his family, coaching staffs and players for helping him achieve the milestone and build successful programs throughout his career.
“After 24 years in the profession, I can honestly say that I still love coaching as much as I did when I started. Every season brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new lessons. Reaching 350 wins is a special milestone, but what I cherish most are the relationships, memories, and experiences that have come along the way. I have loved every season and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that still lie ahead,” De Anda said.