DENVER – University of Denver head volleyball coach Tom Hogan announced Thursday that he will be stepping away from his position to focus on his health after seven years at the helm and 11 years with the University.
Hogan led the Pioneers to a 133-36 overall record and an 81-14 mark in the Summit League in his first six years as head coach prior to missing the majority of the 2022 season while he battled cancer. He was named the Summit League Coach of the Year three times and coached Denver to six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances (two as an assistant coach, four as head coach).
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce today that I'm stepping away from Denver volleyball to focus on my health," Hogan said. "The last 11 years have been nothing short of amazing, and it has been one of my greatest honors to be a part of building this program into something truly special. I have such deep gratitude for all the incredible student-athletes who have been the heart of this program throughout my 11 years and who have brought true teamwork, passion and dedication to the gym and to our team each and every day. I have gratitude for Peg Bradley-Doppes and Ron Grahame for hiring me, believing in me, and supporting this program for so many years. I have gratitude for the staff who have joined us on our journey, and each left their own imprint, and to the DU faithful for their unbelievable support throughout the years. Though I'm stepping away, this program will always have a special place in my heart."
Denver volleyball reached new heights under Hogan's leadership. In each of his six full seasons as head coach, he amassed 20 or more wins, and a top-25 winning percentage in the NCAA. He also led the Pioneers to four Summit League regular-season championships and three conference tournament titles as head coach.
"We thank Tom for his great service to Pioneer Athletics," Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo said. "I have seen first-hand the passion that Tom has for the sport and for coaching his student-athletes, and the impact he's had on the University on Denver's volleyball program. We know this decision was not an easy one and wish him nothing but the best in his continued recovery. We will rally around our volleyball student-athletes through this transition as the program seeks to add to its impressive achievements."
Hogan's additional milestones as a head coach include the program's first win over a ranked opponent in five years when the Pios took down No. 20 Loyola Marymount in 2016, then earned their first three seed in a four-team NCAA regional in program history in 2017. A year later, he led the Pios to their first at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. In 2019, Denver finished second in the Summit League regular season but won the tournament title to earn its sixth-straight NCAA appearance. Lydia Bartalo became just the third All-America selection in the program's history that season.
Prior to being named the head coach in December, 2015, Hogan was hired as a Denver assistant under then-head coach Jesse Mahoney in 2012 before being elevated to the associate head coach role in 2014. As the recruiting coordinator in 2014, his class was ranked 28th by PrepVolleyball.com, the first top-30 recruiting class in the program's history.
In addition to his Denver coaching success, Hogan's wealth of experience also includes an Olympic silver medal as a member of the USA Women's National Volleyball Team staff from 2002-08, marking the first U.S. Olympic volleyball medal since 1984. In addition to the 2008 silver, Hogan has led U.S. national teams to numerous medals at the NORCECA Championships, Pan American Cups, World Cups and Grand Prix. He has been the head coach of the USA Junior National Team, the USA Youth National Team, and the USA Select National Team, and the assistant coach for the USA National Team and U.S. Olympic Team.
Denver will promptly begin a national search for its next head coach.
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