Laurent Tillie

Laurent Tillie (born (1963-12-01)1 December 1963 in Algiers) is a former French male volleyball player (wing-spiker) and coach.

Volleyball player

Tillie was part of the France men's national volleyball team between 1982 and 1995 playing in total 407 international matches. He served as team captain from 1991 to 1992. France won a bronze medal at the 1985 European Championship and a silver medal two years later. His team qualified for World Championships in 1982, 1986, and 1990 and represented their country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He played professionally for AS Cannes, Paris, Nice and Falconara in Italy. He played for AS Cannes.

Coach

After his career he became volleyball coach. and returned to Cannes in 2001. His team became French champion in 2005 and French Cup Winner in 2007. In 2005, Tillie assumed more responsibility serving as the Head Coach for the Czech Republic men's national volleyball team. He led this team to 9th place at the 2005 European Championship and qualification for the 2006 World Championships. He remained with AS Cannes until he began a new journey as the Head Coach of the France men's national volleyball team in July 2012. In 2013 and 2014 the French team ended 10th at World League and just a few months later, France finished 4th at the 2014 Men’s World Championship in Poland. He coached French Men's National Volleyball Team to 2015 World League Champion in Rio.

Personal

Tillie earned a Bachelor of Science in Movement and Education in 1984 as well as a Diploma of Physiotherapy and Kinesiology in 1991 from the University of Nice. Tillie is a father of three: Kevin Tillie, Kim Tillie, and Killian as well as the husband to the former Netherlands Women’s National Volleyball Team Captain, Caroline Keulen. His son, Kim, graduated from the University of Utah where he played basketball. He went on to make the Men’s French National team and win a bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup. Kevin attended the University of California, Irvine, where he became a 2-time NCAA Volleyball Champion and is currently a member of the France Men’s National Team. The youngest, Killian, currently attends and plays basketball at Gonzaga University. He is in the France national team developmental system; he won a gold medal with France at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and was named MVP of that competition.