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It took John Speraw less than a week since being hire at UCLA to begin to fill out his assistant coaching staff for the upcoming season.
Speraw announced Monday that former Loyola Marymount outside attacker and UC Irvine assistant coach Brad Keller will serve as UCLA’s assistant coach for the 2013 season.
“Brad has a true passion for volleyball and has a bright future in the sport,” Speraw said in a statement released Monday. “He is a tireless worker, skilled teacher and brings great energy to our staff. I loved having him with us at Irvine. He was an excellent recruiter and wonderful role model for our student-athletes.”
Keller before coming to UCLA served under Speraw as an assistant coach at UC Irvine from 2010-11.
This is the first coaching hire for Speraw since announcing last week he would resign from UC Irvine to become the head coach at alma mater UCLA and replace the recently retired Hall of Fame coach Al Scates. Speraw in his 10 season as UC Irvine’s head coach won three NCAA championships, including the 2012 national title in May.
Along with Keller’s experience at UC Irvine, he served as an assistant coach for the Connecituct women’s volleyball team last season. He also was an assistant coach at USC from 2007-10 and helped the Trojans reach the 2009 NCAA championship match, which it lost to Speraw and the Anteaters.
“I’m honored for the opportunity to work with John and be a part of the UCLA family,” Keller said in a statement. “This incredible university has the ultimate history of success along with a tremendous culture. I’m looking forward to the building process and challenges that lie ahead.”
UCLA ended last season in fifth place in the MPSF and lost in the conference tournament quarterfinals. The Bruins have two returning starters for the 2013 season, including All-MPSF outside attacker Gonzalo Quiroga.