Berry College

John Thomas "JT" Oates was named assistant coach of Berry's volleyball team in June of 2016. He has served as an assistant on head coach Caitlyn Moriarty's staff for the past nine seasons. 

From 2017 through 2024, Oates helped the team to Southern Athletic Association championships in both the regular season and tournament. The 2021 team reached the NCAA National Quarterfinals, the farthest run for any volleyball team in Berry history. 
 
Oates has also been an assistant coach on Berry's beach volleyball team since its debut 2022 season. In 2023, the Vikings reached the championship match of the NCAA Small College National Championships. 

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 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.