Donan Cruz is moving on.
Cruz announced that he has opted to resign as the head coach of the Ball State men’s volleyball team after leading the program to three conference titles in a four-year span.
“My family and I are incredibly grateful for our time at Ball State. While we’re excited for the next chapter ahead, we will miss the amazing campus community that has meant so much to us,” Cruz said in a statement. “To the student-athletes, fellow peers, alumni, and passionate fans — thank you for your support and the love you’ve shown for Ball State Volleyball. It’s been an honor to be part of this historic program.”
Cruz in his first season at Ball State won the National Coach of Year as he led the Cardinals to their first MIVA championship in 21 years. Ball State also earned the No. 2 overall seed to the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals.
The Cardinals following their NCAA Tournament appearance won back-to-back MIVA regular season championships in 2023 and 2024. The team, though, was upset each of those seasons in the MIVA Tournament.
Ball State in Cruz’s final season opened in the top 10 of the national rankings and ended the year losing in the MIVA Tournament quarterfinals.
Cruz was the fourth head coach in Ball State’s 65-year program history. The coach arrived to Ball State after leading Grand View to the 2021 NAIA national championship.
Ball State athletics director Jeff Mitchell announced following Cruz’s departure that Mike Iandolo will serve as the interim head coach.
Iandolo has been an assistant coach under Cruz for the last four years. In addition, Iandolo before arriving to Ball State was the head coach at Charleston.