Before entering the coaching profession, Doug Beal had established himself as one of the finest volleyball players in the country. He competed in over 200 national team international matches, earned United States Volleyball Association All-American honors five times and was given the USVBA player of the Year Award in 1975.

Beal will be most remembered, however, as the first U.S.A. National Coach to lead his team to the Olympic Gold. Taking over control of the National Team in 1977, Beal implemented a comprehensive and aggressive training program which brought the 19th-ranked squad to the forefront of international competition. His strategy and dedicated leadership led to the U.S. Team's acquisition of the coveted "Triple Crown" of volleyball: The Olympic Gold Medal (Los Angeles, 1984), the World Cup Gold Medal (1985) and the World Championship Gold Medal (1986). In 1985, Beal assumed directorship of the National Team Center in San Diego, a post he held for two years.

Prior to his work with the National Team, Beal had similar success as Head Coach at Bowling Green and Ohio State. For two consecutive years (1972 and '73) he was named Midwest Collegiate Coach of the Year. He has served as Advisor to the President's Commission on Olympic Sports, on the U.S. Volleyball Committee, as a member on the USVBA Board of Directors and Executive Committee and as President of the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

Beal is the recipient of many of volleyball's highest honors. He is a member of the Shaker Heights Hall of Fame, the Ohio State University Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. He has garnered the A.A.U. Annual Volleyball Leadership Award and the USVBA Leader in Volleyball Award.