Rick Moller was named the assistant coach for Auburn Volleyball in February 2020. He enters his fourth season as part of the Auburn volleyball staff.
Previously, Moller was the video coordinator for Auburn volleyball in the fall of 2019 after moving to the area in June 2019. In that role he primarily conducted DataVolley statistical work for the program, both in practice and on the road. He also assisted in scouting Auburn’s opponents.
During the 2021 season, Moller helped Auburn to a 13-15 overall record, the most program wins since 2017. The Tigers finished 5-13 in SEC play, picking up the most wins since 2018. Auburn opened the season with 17 consecutive set victories to tie the program record for most sweeps to begin a season with five, matching a feat first accomplished by the 1974 team. Auburn’s 6-0 start to the season was its best start since 2012.
The Tigers’ season was highlighted by a two-match sweep of Alabama, marking the first time Auburn has won back-to-back SEC matches since 2018. Auburn earned its first victory over Missouri in league action and its first overall win in the series since 1996. Auburn also edged out Texas A&M, 3-2, to earn the program’s first victory in College Station.
Auburn won a program record six total SEC weekly honors, splitting three on offense and three on defense. Individually, the Tigers also set nine individual records during the 2021 campaign.
Working heavily with Auburn’s middle blockers, Moller helped Tatum Shipes transition into the role for her senior campaign. With guidance from Moller, Shipes turned in one of the best blocking performances in program history as she set Auburn’s single-season records for total blocks, block assists and blocks per set for the rally-scoring era. Her efforts were also good for top-five performances in all three categories overall in program history.
Shipes closed her senior campaign as the SEC leader in blocks per set and total blocks, ranking sixth and 21st nationally in both categories.
As a team, Auburn finished fourth in the SEC with a 2.44 blocks per set. The Tigers tied the program record for blocks in a match with 18.0 in its five-set victory against the Crimson Tide, tying a feat that was first set against South Florida on Sept. 13, 2014. In the match, Shipes racked up 12 blocks to set Auburn’s single-match record for the rallying-scoring era.
In his first season as assistant coach, Auburn competed in a total of eight matches during the fall season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fall season was highlighted by Auburn setting the program record for blocks in a four-set match as the Tigers recorded 17 at South Carolina on Oct. 29, 2020. The previous mark of 14 was set on Nov. 9, 2014 against Tennessee. The total tied for the second-most blocks in a match in Auburn program history as was the most by the Tigers since 2009.
Due to injuries and opt-out, the Tigers were unable to compete in the spring portion of the amended 2020-21 schedule.
Prior to coming to Auburn, Moller was the volunteer assistant coach for the University of Portland Pilots for three seasons. Moller was a part of the winningest three seasons in Portland history, including the program's third-place WCC finish in 2016 and the first 20-win season and postseason appearance for the Pilots in 2018. As the volunteer assistant, Moller worked for the program in every aspect; as a coach in the gym, conducting film sessions, building and maintaining the serving program, conducting research on player wellness relating to jump load, scouting opponents, live statistics in matches and many of the operations aspects of the program such as travel arrangements, scheduling and all facilities or equipment related needs.
At the same time as working for the Portland Indoor program, Moller also was the first assistant for the Pilots Beach program. Moller assisted with planning and running practices, game-day coaching and all other aspects of the program. On the side Moller also coached club locally in Portland.
Moller has spent time volunteering with the Canadian National team, as well as working many years of collegiate and high school summer camps and almost ten years of high school and club volleyball.
Moller moved to Columbus, Georgia with his wife, Kelcey, in June of 2019, when Kelcey began her Orthopedic Surgery residency at the Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital, one of the nation’s top Orthopedic institutions.