His way of seeing the game resonated with a lot of people.

Carl pioneered the application of scientific rigor to the way we coach our sports.

Dr. Carl McGown, a renowned volleyball coach, innovator and mentor, died today in a hospital near his home in Provo, Utah. McGown suffered a stroke on December 27. He was 79 years old."Carl pioneered the application of scientific rigor to the way we coach our sports," Minnesota coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "He allowed us to quantify, and therefore see, improvement in our athletes." McCutcheon played for McGown at BYU, and was later his assistant. In 2008, McGown was one of McCutcheon's assistants when USA men won Olympic gold in Beijing.While a Long Beach City College and BYU undergrad, McGown was a member of several successful club volleyball teams, and was named All-American in 1964. He continued to compete in national AAU tournaments while pursuing a master's degree at BYU. In 1971, he earned a PhD in Motor Skills Learning and Administration at the University of Oregon.While teaching physical education courses at BYU, McGown volunteered to collect statistics and other data for the BYU club volleyball team. He took note of patterns, like the exact location serves landed, to develop theories and strategies that would eventually redirect, if not revolutionize, the way volleyball was played in the United States. He was an early architect and champion of swing blocking, and preached the value of eyework, footwork, defensive positioning and the technique of "bellies, not butts" to dig hard-to-reach balls. "His way of seeing the game," McCutcheon said, "resonated with a lot of people."When men's volleyball became an NCAA sport in 1989, McGown was named head BYU men's coach. After several lean years, McGown attracted a number of international players, including McCutcheon (New Zealand), Arkansas coach Jason Watson (Australia), Hector Lebron (Puerto Rico), and Ossie Antonetti (Puerto Rico). His teams also included three-time Olympian Ryan Millar, Illinois coach Kevin Hambly, current BYU men's coach Shawn Olmstead, and McGown's own son--and former BYU head coach--Chris McGown. BYU won NCAA titles in 1999 and 2001, and McGown was twice named AVCA Coach of the Year. He is a member of several Halls of Fame, including the AVCA's, which he was inducted into in 2010.From 1973-76, McGown was head coach of the USA Men's National Team. He would go on to assist subsequent national team head coaches during seven Olympic games.McGown is survived by his wife, Susan, his sons Peter and Chris, and several grandchildren.A more comprehensive obituary will be posted in FloVolleyball in the days ahead.