skip navigation

MEET OUR DIRECTORS

BO YONG - CLUB DIRECTOR

Bo began coaching at Nebraska Impact in 2000 and in 2009 was appointed Assistant Club Director.  In 2015 Bo decided to start Banzai VBC with his two teams the first year and has grown over the past several years.  Bo coached Freshman and JV teams at Millard West High School for 4 years and had an overall record of 92-10.  Bo was the Varsity Coach at Omaha South High School for two years before moving to Ralston High School were he coached for the next 10 years.  In 2018 the Ralston team qualified for State for the first time since 2003.  Bo's teams have had great success over the years including many top finishes in National Qualifier Events.  Bo is a firm believer in goal setting saying "Each of us has a thirst in our hearts for something and its our goal in life to find it and keep going."

CASSIDY SIMMONS - ASSISTANT CLUB DIRECTOR

Cassidy has been coaching volleyball for 10 years and has had a remarkable career as both a player and coach.

Cassidy's talent on the court was recognized early on as she played in high school, club, and collegiately. Cassidy attended Southwestern Community College in 2013 where her team made their first appearance to Nationals in 12 years and got 5th place.  She made the 1st Team All Region and All Tournament as well as earning a spot on the All American 2nd Team. In 2014 she attend Central Columbus Community College where she received 1st Team All Region as well as All Conference Team.  Her team went on to Nationals and placed 5th in the Nation and she again earned All American 2nd team.  Her final 2 years of college were played at College of Saint Mary's where she earned NAIA Scholar Athlete as well as MVP. Cassidy graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelors Degree in Paralegal Studies and a minor in Social Sciences.

Cassidy is also a proud wife and mother, having been married to her husband Jake for 4 years and raising two young children, Wrenley (3) and Luka (1).

ERIC RICHARDS - DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE - GOING VERTICAL

In May of 2015 I graduated The Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Fitness Studies and a Business Administration minor. While at Nebraska Wesleyan, I was a three year starter at cornerback for the prairie wolves defense. Off the field during my Junior and Senior year I was the president of the Wesleyan FCA organization (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). During my high school and collegiate career, I had an unmatched passion for maximizing my athletic abilities. Combining that with a desire to help others has lead me to the field of strength and conditioning where I have now worked with a variety of athletes ranging from grade school to collegiate athletes.

During the summer of 2014 I was an intern here at The Xplosive Edge. I choose X-Edge because in high school I played alongside and competed against one of their athletes. Seeing how advanced he was in the weight room with sound technique and superb strength I always wondered what went on at the Xplosive Edge. Throughout my internship I began to understand why the Xplosive Edge helped maximize my peer’s athletic talents. Through hands on coaching, with specialized and science based programming I began to see that X Edge gave athletes the best possibility to succeed.

A little over a year after my internship I received my CSCS through the NSCA. I was also granted the opportunity to join the X-Edge staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Now in my new role I bring a high energy and positive coaching style mixed with the established training protocols at The Xplosive Edge to help all athletes reach their maximum potential.

NICK FRIEDRICHSEN - DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE

Nick started his first weight lifting program with his father in the basement of their home using plastic sand and weights and a bar in 1991 while in 7th grade.  He attended Omaha Central High School where he was a 4 sport athlete, which included a Boys U18 Volleyball team.  Nick was also a member of the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams for the Eagles until graduating in 1996.  Nick has been working in strength and conditioning in one way or another for the past 15 years in addition to his full time job as a high school Skilled and Technical Science instructor.  He started training in college at University of Nebraska-Lincoln with Joe Hurley, formerly of Husker Power.   After graduating with a B.S. in Education, he began teaching and coaching at Millard West HS here in Omaha. While at Millard West, Nick was the director of performance for Volleyball (2003-2008), Girl's Basketball (2004-2007), Softball (2004-2007), Men's Basketball (2004) and Wrestling (2008) where he designed and implemented in-season and off-season programs for the Wildcats while coaching several sports which included head volleyball coach for 3 seasons.  He also served 3 seasons as a NSAA volleyball official while earning his Master's degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University Nebraska-Seward.   In the private sector, Nick has been a competitive club volleyball coach for 16 years, starting with Sunset West & Premier VBC.  While at Premier, he had the opportunity to coach championship teams at the 17&U and 18&U levels.  During his time with Premier, Nick worked part time as a trainer with The Xplosive Edge for 3 years.  Nick sat for his USAW SPC certification at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, KS  in 2009 under USA Olympic Weightlifting  Judge, Tom Cross.  Nick has had the privilege to  work with and learn from some of the best strength coaches, physical therapists, coaches, and athletes in the country.  There is no better teacher than experience to learn how to pass that along to someone who is new to training. "Being involved in teaching and coaching athletics for so many years, I have been fortunate to see both sides of the coin from a performance perspective. "