Nikki Granath, the new head volleyball coach for Dublin ISD, knew she wanted to be a coach early in her life.
“I decided coaching was going to be a part of my life the day I walked onto the court my 7th grade year,” the Granbury native and graduate said. “I knew I would never leave that world.”
Granath said several coaches have motivated and driven her throughout her life, including some who thought she couldn’t rise above. She was really pushed to prove them wrong.
“I want every single athlete that comes across my path to believe in themselves,” Granath said. “I want them to know they can.”
Nikki also enjoys the “ family atmosphere” created when people are on a team. “You take that with you forever,” she said.
She particularly enjoys volleyball for its competition and team bonding. “Although it’s a team sport, you have the ability to shine as an individual,” Granath remarked.
Nikki brings five years of teaching and seven years of coaching experience to the position, starting initially at a boys and girls club, transitioning to club volleyball.
Her teaching career started at Three Way ISD where she was the head volleyball coach.
She moved to the city (Fort Worth and Irving) from there where she taught and ran her own program, Physical Therapy Technicians which geared ‘future students looking to further their careers in the medical world.’
She also worked as a personal trainer at Lifetime Fitness and helped with athletic performance facilities such as D1 Training and RedLine Athletics. She focused on volleyball in the latter, hinting at her love of the sport.
She is joined in the move to Dublin by her fiancé, JF Thomas Jr., who will be acting as assistant coach in several sports for DHS. The couple met while getting degrees from Tarleton and has been together for five years. They plan to wed in October.
Although she has been living in cities, she is excited about coming to Dublin and called it a “breath of fresh air.”
“Everyone has been so welcoming and we are truly blessed to be a part of an awesome community,” she said.
She is also excited building up the Lady Lions volleyball program, saying she has seen lots of talent so far.
Granath’sinterestsinclude gardening and reading, particularly after discovering books by Colleen Hoover. She and JF are also kept busy spending time with their dog, a boxer named Rocky.
Her favorite quote comes from children’s literature icon, Dr. Seuss: “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Her background in team sports and volleyball opened up the world to her and she’s hoping to carry that inspiration in the motivation she gives her athletes.