Former assistant Pascua named NIC volleyball coach

From local reports and news services

COEUR d’ALENE — Drew Pascua, an assistant volleyball coach at North Idaho College in 2014 and ‘15, has been named the Cardinals’ head volleyball coach, athletic director Shawn Noel announced.

“We are excited to have Drew as a part of North Idaho College to lead the volleyball team,” Noel said in an NIC news release. “He is familiar with the college, has a tremendous amount of experience leading teams and has great ties to the community.”

Pascua replaces Brittany Tilleman, who was told in March her contract would not be renewed after one season after allegations surfaced about hard practices and some players unhappy with playing time, according to Tilleman.

Tilleman’s appeal to keep her job was denied, and NIC has declined comment on the situation. 

Pascua, a Grass Valley, Calif. native, played volleyball for San Diego Mesa Junior College before transferring to Warner University in Lake Wales, Fla., where he received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. After graduating, he became a strength and conditioning coach for college football combine athletes and coached both high school and club volleyball. At that time, he won three state championships as the head coach for Santa Fe Christian School. 

Pascua met his wife, Hedder, and the two moved to Hawaii in 2009 while she was a graduate assistant for University of Hawaii volleyball program and he coached at Mid-Pacific Institute and ‘Imi ‘Ike volleyball club and in 2013 they returned to the mainland.

At NIC, Pascua helped the Cardinals to a 10th-place finish at the NJCAA tournament in 2015.

After his time at NIC, he was an assistant volleyball coach for Gonzaga University from 2016-21. Since his time at Gonzaga, Pascua has helped direct and coach College Prep Academy in Spokane.

"I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to be back at NIC and Coeur d’Alene,” Pascua said. “I am excited to take on this role and to lead the volleyball team back into the NJCAA."

After eight seasons in the Northwest Athletic Conference, NIC’s volleyball program returns to the NJCAA and the Scenic West Athletic Conference this fall.