UCSB men’s volleyball coach Rick McLaughlin was named the 2020 United States Marine Corps/AVCA Division I-II Men’s Coach of the Year, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced.
The Gauchos completed the shortened 2020 season with a 14-2 overall record. The Big West Coach of the Year led the Gauchos to nine wins against nationally ranked foes.
UCSB began the season on a six-match winning streak and ended the campaign on an eight-match roll. The Gauchos climbed as high as No. 3 in the NVA/AVCA Coaches poll.
McLaughlin, who has led the Gauchos since 2009, had his squad ranked among the nation’s leaders in several statistical categories, including No. 1 in opponent team hitting percentage (.178) and No. 5 in team hitting percentage (.333). The Gauchos also ranked No. 2 in digs per set (10.55), and No. 5 in both kills per set (13.05) and assists per set (12.27).
Hawai‘i Associate Head Coach Milan Zarkovic was tabbed the AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year.
He finished his seventh season under head coach Charlie Wade, who was the 2019 AVCA Coach of the Year.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.