Karch Kiraly to Coach U.S. Men’s National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 24, 2024) – USA Volleyball is pleased to announce that Karch Kiraly will transition to head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Quadrennial.  

Kiraly transfers to the post with the current coach, John Speraw, having been named USA Volleyball’s president and CEO on October 1. Speraw served for 12 years as the Men’s National Team head coach.  

“I am thrilled that Team USA’s greatest winner will be moving from the U.S. Women’s Team to lead the U.S. Men into LA 2028,” Speraw said. “I have complete and total trust in Karch’s process. He has a relentless work ethic, brilliant intellect and is a selfless teacher.” 

Kiraly transfers to the U.S. Men’s National Team from his role as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team where he has served since September 2012. Most recently, he led the U.S. Women to the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In 2021, he helped the U.S. Women win their first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo. He also coached the team to an Olympic bronze medal in Rio 2016 and to its first World Championship win in 2014.  

“Chances to collaborate with some of the best people and players on the planet – and to represent our country while striving for incredibly difficult goals like Olympic gold medals – are precious beyond words,” Kiraly said. “For one-quarter of my life, I've poured everything I have into the U.S. Women's Team; first as an assistant, then as head coach. Now, it’s time for new adventures and new challenges.” 

The U.S. Women have won three Volleyball Nations League trophies (2018, ’19 and ’21) and the 2015 Grand Prix under Kiraly, who compiled a 327-81 record in his 12 years as head coach. Prior to becoming the head coach, he served as an assistant coach for four years under Hugh McCutcheon and helped the U.S. Women win the 2012 Olympic silver medal. 

Kiraly takes over a U.S. Men’s Team that won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and is ranked No. 3 in the world. 

“I am thrilled beyond words at the opportunity to coach the U.S. Men's National Team,” Kiraly said. “I've watched with respect and admiration for everyone in the program as they've pursued excellence, both in training and in competition. This opportunity shines even brighter as I fondly recall the nine seasons I spent as a player with the program.” 

Kiraly is considered one of the greatest volleyball players ever. He won two Olympic gold medals in indoor volleyball (1984, 1988) and one in beach volleyball (1996).  

He was selected the greatest volleyball player of the 20th century by the FIVB and has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (2001), the United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame (2008) and the UCLA Hall of Fame (1992). 

 “All of us at USA Volleyball recognize that our record of success in the sport began when Karch led Team USA to the gold medal in 1984,” Speraw said. “I think it is fitting that when Karch steps onto the court at the LA Olympics, he will be competing with the men’s team one more time.”  

“Karch will not only bring his experience, skills and knowledge of the game to a team riding high going into a new Olympic & Paralympic quad, but he can also be a part of the game where he began his career with USA Volleyball as a Men’s National Team player,” said USA Volleyball Board of Directors Chair Dave Gentile. 

Collegiately, Kiraly was an outside hitter who led UCLA to a 124-5 record and three national titles during his four years. 

Kiraly and his wife Janna have two adult sons, Kristian and Kory. 

More from Karch Kiraly: “Huge thanks to USA Volleyball for all the chances to represent the United States; to the players and staff of the U.S. Women's Team, too many to name, who did so much of the heavy lifting over the last 16 years; and finally, to the players and staff of the Men's Team for the chance to work alongside you. Life has a way of humbling us all; the way you responded to adversity, and seized the bronze medal in Paris, should be a model for all to follow.”