University of Dayton

Men's BaseballTravis Ferrick

Men's Baseball Assistant Coach

University of Dayton

NCAA DI • A-10

5.0

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Would Recommend

Played for Travis in 2017 at Army. He made an excellent impact on me as a person and improved my abilities as a player. Always saw potential and worked his tail off. Have been fortunate enough to follow his career and stay in touch every so often. He stays grounded an unbiased in a college baseball world saturated with terrible human beings. Travis coaches for the right reasons and I would trust him to coach and develop my son. He is a true upcoming star in the college baseball world

Women's VolleyballTim Balice

Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach

University of Dayton

NCAA DI • A-10

4.6

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Would Recommend

Tim Balice has been one of the most impactful coaches I’ve ever had—not just because of what he knows about volleyball, but because of how he shows up for his players. He has a rare ability to balance intensity with enjoyment, creating an environment where hard work is expected but the process is still fun. He pushes you beyond what you think you’re capable of, holding you to a higher standard than you’d ever set for yourself, and somehow makes you grateful for it. What sets Balice apart is the respect he brings into every interaction. He genuinely cares about each player as both an athlete and a person, and he backs that up with action. Whether it’s staying late for extra reps, breaking down film to help you improve, or simply being there when you need to vent, he shows up— EVERY. SINGLE. TIME, and he does so without hesitation. There’s never a question of whether he’ll be there for you. He just is. His passion is undeniable. He wants to win, he wants to be great at what he does, and he pushes everyone around him to rise to that same level. But it’s not just about performance on the court—he cares just as much about who you are off of it. He challenges you to grow, to be accountable, and to carry yourself with purpose in every area of life. As a player, as a teammate, as a student, as a friend, as a kick a*s woman. One of the things I respect most about Balice is his humility. He’s not afraid to admit when he’s made a mistake, and more importantly, he learns from it. That kind of self-awareness is rare, and it builds a level of trust that goes far beyond the typical player-coach relationship. My experience with the Dayton Volleyball program made me want to walk away from it all and not look back. It took an everything out of me. But even after everything, Tim Balice has remained a constant. He’s stayed in touch, checked in, and shown that his care goes far beyond the game. That’s something I’ll never forget. I truly would do anything for him—and I know, without a doubt, he would do the same for me.

Women's VolleyballTim Horsmon

Women's Volleyball Head Coach

University of Dayton

NCAA DI • A-10

1.4

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Would Recommend

My experience with Tim Horsmon was defined by hypocrisy, favoritism, and a complete disregard for athletes who did not immediately serve his pursuit of winning. Although he presents himself as a leader invested in his players, his actions consistently contradict that image. In reality, the program operates on fear, favoritism, and silence, with athletes valued only for what they can immediately produce. Favoritism is not subtle—it is blatant. Certain players are protected, excused, and given unlimited chances regardless of performance or character, while others are treated as expendable from the start. If you are deemed a “favorite,” mistakes are ignored, effort is assumed, and opportunities are endless. If you are not, you are treated as irrelevant from the start. Your work does not matter, your improvement goes unnoticed, and your presence feels tolerated at best. Respect is not earned through effort or consistency; it is selectively granted based on personal preference. This creates a toxic environment where players are constantly walking on eggshells, competing not just for playing time, but for basic respect. One of the most frustrating aspects of his coaching is how little actual coaching he does. Despite holding the title of head coach, he does very little actual coaching. The assistant coaches carry the entire program—running practices, giving instruction, correcting mistakes, and doing the real developmental work. Meanwhile, he stands in the gym for hours with his arms crossed, planted behind a box, silently judging every rep. He offers no guidance, no feedback, and no solutions. Athletes are left to perform under constant scrutiny without ever being taught how to improve. His presence is not motivating—it is oppressive. Any sign of weakness, whether mental or physical, is treated as unforgivable. Injuries, confidence issues, or mental health struggles are not met with understanding, but with immediate loss of trust. It’s viewed as if you’re weak. Once you show vulnerability, you are labeled a liability and never truly given another opportunity. Instead of developing resilient athletes, this mindset encourages players to hide pain, suppress emotions, suffer in silence, and pretend to be fine, all out of fear of being permanently labeled and sidelined. Perhaps the most damaging aspect of his leadership is how convincingly he sells a dream. He talks about building relationships and supporting athletes beyond the sport, but the second winning is at risk, every promise disappears. Players become tools, and if sacrificing someone helps him win, he does it without hesitation or remorse. Loyalty flows only one way. His concern for athletes ends where their usefulness does. When confronted, he will apologize—but those apologies are hollow and meaningless. They are not followed by reflection or change. The same behaviors repeat over and over, proving that the apologies exist only to quiet frustration and deflect criticism, not to take accountability. Over time, this pattern destroys trust and confirms that nothing he says should be taken seriously. More often than not, athletes feel manipulated rather than supported. Tim Horsmon may produce wins, but he does so by creating a culture of fear, silence, and physical and emotional exhaustion. Athletes are not coached—they are judged. They are not supported—they are tolerated until they are no longer useful. A true leader teaches, communicates, and invests in people. This coach does none of those things. He watches, decides, and discards.

Women's VolleyballTim Horsmon

Women's Volleyball Head Coach

University of Dayton

NCAA DI • A-10

1.6

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Would Recommend

This coach presents the program as competitive and blue collar during recruiting, but the reality can feel very different depending on how he sees you. He’s a good speaker and will sell you the dream. You want to win? He’ll push you nonstop and won’t sugarcoat a thing. But if that pressure breaks you, physically or mentally, you may be left on your own. He can coach, but don’t expect him to teach. Most of the real development comes from the assistant coaches. They’re the ones who give you actual feedback—the “how” and “why” behind what you’re doing—not just surface-level corrections. If you’re not one of his favorites, or if you struggle mentally, physically, or performance-wise, you may find yourself sidelined without real support. Development and consistent feedback are limited unless you fit a specific mold or you’re a favorite. Coach’s moods also dictated the entire practice. There were times upperclassmen would literally warn us if he came in a bad mood because it would completely affect how the rest of practice went. If you’re already in the program and looking for a sign…This is it. If you’re not “his type” of player, you’ll feel it immediately. If you question whether you think he likes you, he doesn’t. He’ll give attention to others in your position and you’ll be left out of the conversation. You won’t get consistent reps on the ‘A’ side. Your good moments will go unnoticed. You might get replaced by either a practice player, another player in your position, or be reduced to serving only. You’ll know.. Don’t convince yourself that working harder will fix it—it’ll only break you down faster. He glorifies athletes playing through fractures like it proves “toughness.” But when someone actually does it—plays hurt, pushes through, tries to be that version of “tough”—and they finally break? Suddenly, it’s their fault. No support. No grace. Just blame. And with the relentless year-round schedule, your body won’t get a break—not in-season, not out of it. This program is not worth the physical or mental toll at all. He is not a coach who cares about the growth, health, or humanity of the women on his team. To him, you are a player not a person. You are a statistic that determines whether or not he gets paid. He’s not a coach. He’s a businessman in a whistle.

Men's BaseballJayson King

Men's Baseball Head Coach

University of Dayton

NCAA DI • A-10

1.0

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Would Recommend

In my opinion that he has zero to get back to the game. And I’ve been around the game for 20 years.