By Long Beach State Athletics announced Tuesday that four-year beach volleyball head coach and women’s volleyball assistant coach Mike Campbell will assume full-time duty of the beach volleyball program in the spring. The women’s volleyball program will also hire Sabrina Hernandez, a Long Beach State alumni and Hall of Famer, as an assistant coach.
“Although I will thoroughly miss working with the indoor student-athletes and staff, I am very excited to take on the new role as the head beach volleyball coach,” four-year coach Campbell said in a press release.
The move will mark the first time in beach volleyball program’s history that it has a full-time head coach. Since the program began at Long Beach, Campbell has been acting as head coach and assistant for women’s volleyball.
“I am very excited to announce Mike Campbell will be our first full-time Beach Volleyball head coach,” said Long Beach State Athletics Director Andy Fee via LBSU Athletics. “Our program has excelled under his direction and our investment will grow and continue the legacy, tradition, and excellence of Beach Volleyball at Long Beach State.”
Since Campbell began coaching the beach volleyball team, the program has made two national championship appearances while finishing in the top 10 rankings every year. His overall record as the head coach of the program is 81-38. Last season the team finished with a 26-8 record and ranked sixth in the nation.
“For a number of years our beach-only student-athletes have maintained an elite level program and I am extremely encouraged by the support of the athletics administration and our athletics director, Andy Fee, in the creation of this position,” Campbell said via LBSU Athletics. “This will propel our off-season training and recruiting, as well as maximize both of our program’s operating efficiency in and out of season.”
To fill in the assistant coach position on the women’s volleyball team, head coach Joy McKienzie-Fuerbringer announced the hiring of Hernandez, who has been with the UC Irvine women’s volleyball program for 11 years as an assistant coach.
“Sabrina brings a deep resume as a coach as well as success as a student-athlete here at the Beach, winning a National Championship as both a player and a coach,” Fee said via LBSU Athletics. “These additions will position both programs for long-term success.”
The women’s volleyball team is looking to rebuild with Hernandez after a disappointing 10-19 season, while beach volleyball will try to earn a spot in the NCAA Championships, after nearly making it last season.
