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A former UCLA opposite and member of the U.S. Men’s National Team will join the UC San Diego coaching staff.
UC San Diego head coach Kevin Ring announced Wednesday that Nick Vogel was hired as the program’s top assistant coach for the upcoming season.
Vogel was a four-year starter for the Bruins from 2009-12 under Hall of Fame coach Al Scates and finished his college career with 75 aces and more than a .300 attack percentage. In addition, he had 299 career blocks — the fourth-most blocks for a UCLA player during the rally scoring era.
After graduating with academic honors from UCLA in 2012, Vogel played professionally in Europe until 2015. The opposite also competed with the United States at the 2014 FIVB World Championship and 2014 USA Volleyball Cup.
“I am excited that Nick will be joining our staff, as he brings a great deal of experience, having been a former player in the MPSF, alongside his time with the national team and professional clubs,” Ring said in a statement. “Nick will be valuable in the gym when we train our current squad, as well as on the recruiting trail as we target the next great players for our program.”
Vogel, a San Diego native, returned to UCLA last year to begin his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach with the Bruins women’s volleyball program. UCLA finished the 2015 season reaching the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.
Along with that experience, Vogel coached beach and indoor youth club volleyball with the WAVE Volleyball this year and spent time coaching youth volleyball in Europe while playing professionally.
UC San Diego ended last season in last place in the MPSF but went 5-1 in non-conference play. The Tritons also announced during the off-season that it would join the newly formed Big West men’s volleyball conference in 2018 and the entire school will transition to NCAA Division I status.
“Being a San Diego native, I’m honored to be joining the Triton family, especially at this pivotal time for the program,” Vogel said in a statement. “I’m incredibly enthusiastic about contributing to an institution that has excelled so consistently in academics and athletics, as well as at providing a livable balance of both worlds for its student-athletes. Having known, as well as competed against, coach Ring for so many years, I am eager to learn from a coach that has so much expertise and influence to offer.”