Alongside his duties with the Tritons, Van Niel currently serves as a coach with San Diego's COAST Volleyball Club, as well as an assistant coach for the varsity girl's volleyball team at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad. This past season, he helped guide the Lady Mavericks to their ninth straight CIF San Diego Section championship.

During the past four years at COAST, Van Niel's travel teams have qualified for the open division at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics. Last year, his 16-1 team was crowned national champions after winning the gold medal at the Junior Olympics in Columbus, Ohio.

In and around his volleyball coaching ventures, Van Niel worked from 1998-2010 as an analyst in the financial sector in California.

Van Niel graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1998 with a degree in business administration.