Lauri Hakala

Lauri Hakala (born (1982-08-23)23 August 1982) is a Finnish male volleyball coach. He had a long volleyball and beach volleyball career before becoming a coach. Since his playing career ended in 2011, Hakala has coached in four countries including The United States, Slovenia and Finland. In 2015 he was the head coach of the Finland men's national volleyball team at the 2015 European Games in Baku. Hakala coached a professional men's team LEKA Volley in Kuopio, Finland.

Lauri Hakala played for youth sports club Pieksämäen Tsemppi through his junior years. From 2004 to 2007 Hakala played at the University of Hawai'i. In 2006 he was elected All-American. After playing professionally in Europe for a few years, Hakala was also chosen to the roster of Finnish National Team, but had to stop playing due to knee injuries.

Shortly after retiring from playing, Hakala moved to California, where he worked for one year at Pepperdine University under Marv Dunphy, former USA head coach and 1988 Olympic champion. In 2013-2014 he worked as an assistant coach in Slovenia for both ACH Volley Ljubljana and the Slovenian Men's National Team under head coach Luka Slabe. ACH Volley Ljubljana played in the European Champions League.

In spring 2014 Hakala became the head coach of LEKA Volley, in Kuopio Finland . In 2015 he signed a two-year extension ending in 2017 with LEKA Volley. In addition to playing and coaching, Hakala served on the board of administration of the Finnish Volleyball Association for two years between 2009-2011. He also writes a monthly blog on coaching.

• 2014-2017 (FIN) LEKA Volley (Mestaruusliiga, head coach)
• 2013–2014 (SLO) ACH Volley Ljubljana (Champions League, asst. coach)
• 2011–2012 (USA) Pepperdine University Waves (NCAA, asst. coach.)
• 2009–2011 (FIN) Pieksämäki Volley (SM-liiga, vol.asst.)
• 2008–2009 (FIN) Kempeleen Lentopallo (SM-liiga, asst.coach.)
• 2006–2007 (USA) Outrigger Canoe Club (U-18)
• 2001–2003 (GER) Bad Saulgau (U-18)
• 1999–2001 (FIN) Pieksämäen Tsemppi (U-18)