Barlow High School Dismissed Head Volleyball Coach

The Gresham school parted ways with head coach Lihau Perreira after three years at the helm of the program.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Volleyball

Barlow High School Dismissed Head Volleyball Coach

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Barlow High School announced the dismissal of head volleyball coach Lihau Perreira, citing questions regarding the management of the varsity program. Assistant coach Josie Jansen has stepped into the role of interim head coach.

Why it matters

The change comes as the team maintains a strong competitive position, aiming to secure a share of the conference title with only three regular-season matches remaining.

The Barlow volleyball team holds a 13-4 overall record and currently ranks No. 18 in the OSAA standings. They are preparing for the final three matches of the regular season as they vie for a conference title.

The players

Lihau Perreira

Perreira is the former head volleyball coach at Barlow High School who previously played as a varsity starter for the Bruins.

Josie Jansen

Jansen is the assistant coach who has been appointed as the interim head coach for the Barlow High School volleyball team.

Jason Bhear

Bhear is the principal of Barlow High School who announced the staffing change to the community via email.

Barlow High School

This is a public high school in Gresham that maintains a historic volleyball program with five state titles.

The details

Principal Jason Bhear confirmed the decision to part ways with Perreira via email, noting that athletic leadership raised concerns about the varsity team's management. Assistant coach Josie Jansen is leading the program as it looks to enter the 24-team state playoff bracket.

Barlow won five state volleyball titles between 1983 and 2002.
Lihau Perreira played as a varsity starter for the Bruins from 2008 to 2011.
Perreira began serving as the head coach of the program in 2024.
Barlow competed against the Rams and Hawks in September 2026.
The coach dismissal was reported on October 13, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The program is looking to secure a conference title for the first time since the 2002 MHC title win. This transition in leadership arrives as the team fights to maintain its No. 18 OSAA ranking and secure a position in the 24-team state playoff bracket.

The program has three regular-season matches remaining to determine its final seeding for the 24-team state playoff bracket. The team is currently tracking toward a potential conference title share based on their 9-1 record in Mt. Hood Conference play.

The takeaway

The team must stabilize under interim leadership to maintain its momentum during the final stretch of the season. Players and staff are now focused on securing a conference title and preparing for the upcoming state playoffs.