NYU Athletics

After leading his team on its best-ever playoff run in 2008, Jose Pina is entering his 16th season as head coach of the New York University’s men’s volleyball program. He enters the 2009 campaign with a career record of 200-197.

Under Pina’s tutelage, the Violets went 23-8 and advanced to the semifinals of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) for the first time, testing top-ranked Penn State University before bowing in three tightly contested sets. The 23 wins were the second most in program history, while it was the program’s fifth 20-win campaign. Meanwhile, NYU went 8-2 in the EIVA Hay Division and finished the season ranked #5 in the CBS College Sports Network/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Poll.

Last season, Pina’s guidance helped senior Jonathan Wintermeyer earn First Team AVCA Division III All-America honors, while his development of freshman Francis Hodgson resulted in a Second Team AVCA Division III All-America selection. The trio of Hodgson, Wintermeyer and junior Devin Zolnowski each garnered All-EIVA Division III accolades and were also picked as Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week.

During his tenure, Pina has led the Violets to two Molten Division III Men’s Invitational Championships (2000, 2002), two EIVA Hay Division titles (2002, 2004), and six EIVA Tournament invitations (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008). In addition, he has coached four First Team AVCA Division III All-Americans and four Second Team All-Americans.

Pina began his coaching career as an assistant under NYU's Mike Michalakis from 1991-93, helping the Violets earn a NCAA Tournament bid in 1992.

A two-year captain and four-year starter for NYU's club men’s volleyball team, Pina earned his bachelor's degree in economics in 1987. The Violets’ men’s volleyball program began playing at the varsity level in 1989.

An eight-time member of New York City's Empire State Games volleyball team, Pina continues to play recreationally.

Above all, Pina's heart lies with an NYU volleyball program that he has helped to build into one of the best in the nation.

"NYU provides an educational experience unlike any other school," Pina said. "Our location, our faculty and our student body are the university's strongest assets. I believe it is truly one of the best places in the country for a student-athlete to continue his academic career. On top of this, we continue to build one of the top volleyball programs in the nation and provide student-athletes from all over the nation a chance to study and play in the greatest city in the world. "

A native of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, Pina resides in Manhattan with his wife Patricia and their daughters Gabrielle and Chloe.

E - EIVA Division III Champions
* - NCAA/EIVA Tournament First Round
** - NCAA/EIVA Tournament Final Four