'Dream Come True': El-Turk takes over UWindsor Women's Volleyball Team

The University of Windsor has turned to a familiar face to lead its women's volleyball program.

Jimmy El-Turk is the new head coach of the Lancers, bringing an extensive coaching resume at the collegiate, provincial and national levels.

"It's always been a goal of mine to be a USports head coach and to have an opportunity to fulfull that goal and do it at the University of Windsor is a dream come true." El-Turk told Powerplay Sports.

Source: Windsor Lancers

El-Turk spent seven seasons as head coach of the St. Clair Saints women's volleyball team, leading the program to OCAA bronze medals in 2018 and 2020 while posting an 83-34 regular-season record. Along the way, he was named OCAA West Division Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2020, as well as the overall OCAA Coach of the Year in 2019.

Most recently, El-Turk served as an assistant coach with the Windsor Lancers men's volleyball team, helping the program capture back-to-back OUA silver medals in 2025 and 2026. The Lancers also reached the national semifinals before finishing fourth at the 2026 U SPORTS Championship, the best result in program history. He was recognized as the University of Windsor's Eddi Chittaro Assistant Coach of the Year during the 2025-26 season.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know the athletes on the roster and pouring myself into the role to make this the best experience possible for them."

Beyond the university ranks, El-Turk has represented Canada as an assistant coach with the women's youth national team and guided Team Ontario at the 2022 Canada Summer Games.

He has also played a major role in developing local volleyball talent, founding the SKY Volley junior program in 2015 and serving as the high-performance coordinator for the South County Bandits girls volleyball program.

El-Turk feels his transition to the women's team will be seemless and looks forward to working with a new team, program and getting to know the players. "This current group is such an important part of building culture and I feel as though we have quality people who are fit to take on that challenge this season."

The Lancers have an exhibition tournament at UNB in late September before their season opener at Western October 30th. Windsor welcomes McMaster to the Toldo Lancer Centre November 13th for their home opener.