U.S. Olympic and national team and UCLA head coach John Speraw, who won two NCAA titles for as Bruin player and then coached UCLA to two more national championships, has resigned to become president and CEO of USA Volleyball, the sport’s national governing body.
Speraw replaces Jamie Davis, whose contract was not renewed. Davis was hired as CEO for the Orange County-based USA Water Polo in July. Davis’ final day at USA Volleyball is Monday.
“My journey with USA Volleyball began in 1997 as an assistant coach for the World University Games team,” Speraw said in a statement. “Reflecting on the teams, players, staff and experiences over the years, I am filled with immense gratitude. To now be entrusted with the opportunity to lead USA Volleyball as president and CEO is both a profound honor and deeply humbling.
“This journey has deepened my passion for this organization – representing our country, advancing the sport, and elevating the experience for everyone involved.”
Speraw has coached the U.S. national team since 2013. He guided Team USA to the 2015 World Cup title, a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and bronze medal at the 2018 FIVB World Championships, the first U.S. men’s Worlds medal in 24 years.
“The search group composed of key USA Volleyball Board members concluded that John’s overall sport acumen, demeanor, energy, leadership skills and vision for the future of the sport were clearly aligned with the Board’s expectations for the next generation of USA Volleyball,” USA Volleyball chairman David Gentile.
“Along with the full Board and staff, I look forward to working closely with John over the next several years as he prepares the organization for LA28 and beyond. We are also confident that John’s leadership will always have the mission and role of USA Volleyball as the National Governing Body of the sport of volleyball at the forefront of all we do.”
One of Speraw’s first decisions will be whether to keep the U.S. men’s and women’s national team training bases in Orange County.
Speraw is the first person to win an NCAA men’s volleyball championship as a head coach (2007, 2009 and 2012 at UC Irvine; 2023 and 2024 at UCLA), an assistant coach (1996, 1998, 2000 at UCLA) and as a player (1993 and 1995 at UCLA).
Speraw had a 243-97 record at UCLA and an overall college record at 445-208.
“It has been a tremendous honor to coach at UCLA, my alma mater and my home,” Speraw said. “I am deeply grateful for my time at UCLA, for the men I had the opportunity to coach, and for the lifelong relationships I made along the way. I was surrounded by an incredible staff over the last 12 years, and their countless hours of hard work and unwavering support have been the backbone of our success. I would like to thank Martin Jarmond for his support as I navigated this difficult decision and my supervisor, Gavin Crew, for his commitment to Men’s Volleyball.”
“To the alumni, fellow Bruins who I admire and respect, I look forward to taking my place next to you in the stands as we cheer on our current team in their attempt to win a third national championship in a row.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-25 13:53:00
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