Long Beach State didn’t have to look far to find the new head coach who will lead the team in its national title defense.
The Beach announced that it has promoted Nick MacRae from associate head coach to head coach.
This head coaching announcement comes the same week as Hall of Fame coach Alan Knipe announcing his retirement, which will officially take place Dec. 31 days before the start of the 2026 season. MacRae had served on Knipe’s coaching staff for 13 years and helped lead the Beach to three NCAA championships.
“Nick MacRae has been at the heart of our program’s rise to national prominence, serving as one of the brightest coaching minds in our sport and an essential architect of the championship standard that defines Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball,” athletics director Bobby Smitheran said in a statement. “For more than a decade, he has shaped All-Americans, guided national players of the year, and consistently brought in the nation’s top talent, all while modeling the values and competitive excellence that set the Beach apart.
MacRae, a former Long Beach State player, has been a two-time recipient of the National Assistant Coach of the Year. The coach’s primary responsibilities under Knipe also was working with the setters and the offense.
Long Beach State last season led the nation with a .398 attack percentage en route to winning its national championship since 2019.
“My philosophy is simple. People and connections come first, and we will maintain our standards and discipline at the same high level as non-negotiables in this program,” MacRae said in a statement. “We will continue to compete with LB Grit on and off the court. My job as the Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball head coach is to unite these young men, elevate them, and help them unlock their potential as future leaders, champions, husbands, fathers, and amazing men in our community.”
The Beach returns multiple All-Big West starters from last season, including All-American pin-hitter Skylar Varga. The team, though, will be without setter Moni Nikolov, who opted to turn pro after winning the National Player of the Year as a freshman.