AVCA Release

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has selected Jose Pina as the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year and Karl France as the National Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday, April 21.

New York University's veteran coaching duo led the 2020 Violets to a 13-3 record and to a #1 national ranking for the first time since 2011. During the coronavirus-shortened season, NYU won its first 12 matches, including victories over then-#1 Springfield College (February 22) and then-#3 Stevens Institute of Technology (February 26) in back-to-back contests. 

Pina, who has compiled a 378-334 career record since beginning as the Violets' head coach in 1994, was also selected United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Coach of the Year and AVCA North Region Coach of the Year. His teams have not suffered a losing season in more than a decade.

"As I said when I was honored as AVCA North Region Head Coach of the Year, this is a program award." Pina said. "Not only was I honored, but so was my right-hand man, Karl France. This is a testament to our team and all the people in our university who work hard to make this program possible. I really appreciate my peers choosing us for such honors in this truncated season." 

Pina attended NYU as an undergraduate, played for the Violets' club volleyball team and began on the sidelines as an assistant coach to Mike Michalakis from 1991-93. 

"This award is the byproduct of the work and determination of a team to do what was needed to succeed and perform the right way," Pina added. "But, it is also a result of the support given to us by our manager, our trainers, the senior administrators, and the support staff who's work usually goes unmentioned but who make our life as coaches so much easier."

Also making Pina's life easier is France. His long-time assistant has been a member of the staff for 13 of Pina's 27 years. France began at NYU prior to the 2003-04 season and stayed for four years before leaving to become the Head Coach and Coordinator of Volleyball Operations for both the men's and women's volleyball teams at Rutgers-Newark University.

After four years in Newark, France returned to NYU prior to the start of the 2012 season. Overall during his 13 years on the NYU bench, France has helped led the Violets to an overall 195-151 record. He was also named AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017.

"This is an award that is voted on by my many peers. The fact that they voted for me is an honor," France said. "I want to thank Head Coach Jose Pina, Assistant Coach Ryan Casey, Team Manager Jessica Lee, the 2020 NYU team, and everyone behind the scenes that assist me in doing my job."

In addition to recognizing the two NYU coaches, AVCA had also named senior captains Neil Ferraro and Evan Lindley as All-Americans on Monday.