Long Island didn’t have to look far during its coaching search.
The Sharks announced recently that they promoted assistant coach Ryan Mather to be their new men’s volleyball head coach.
Mather in two seasons on the Long Island coaching staff helped lead the team to back-to-back NEC Tournament appearances. The Sharks during that time span also had five players earn first-team all-conference honors.
“I am super fired up and excited for this next chapter,” Mather said in a statement. What makes it even more special is that I get to do it with this group of players. I am excited to embrace the challenge and responsibility that comes with leading the LIU men’s volleyball program. I can’t wait to get started.”
Mather has spent the last five seasons coaching college volleyball.
The coach before joining Long Island spent two years as the assistant coach with the Rutgers women’s volleyball team. In addition, spent the 2022 season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Lafayette.
Along with his coaching experience, Mather as a player with Grand Canyon was a three-time All-MIVA selection. The outside attacker graduated following the 2016 season and played professional volleyball in Luxembourg, Finland and Denmark.
Long Island finished last season in fourth place in the NEC and lost to Saint Francis in the NEC Tournament semifinals.