John Thomas "JT" Oates was named assistant coach of Berry's volleyball team in June of 2016. In his two seasons with the Vikings, he has helped the team compile a 53-17 record and a 24-4 SAA conference record, placing the team in the conference finals both years and winning the conference championship in 2017.  The 2017 season ended with a trip to the NCAA round of sixteen after a record-breaking, undefeated conference schedule. In two years at Berry, Oates has coached 12 All-Conference selections, six All-Region selections and six All-Americans.  Prior to Berry, JT served as the volunteer assistant at Bridgewater College in Virginia while working as a Maintenance and Commercial Programs Manager with Dynamic Aviation in Virginia for 12 years. Oates is USAV Impact, Cap I and Cap II certified and is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Oates graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Science from LeTourneau University in 2004. He also holds a Master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University at Irvine. JT and his wife Lisa have three children: Madelyn, Adah and Keller and live in Rome, Ga.