A glorious return awaits! After four decades, the three-time Olympic gold medalist Karch Kiraly will return to the USA Men’s Volleyball squad, this time as the head coach. After 12 years of coaching stars like Jordan Larson, Kiraly will now take up the role of the men’s contingent HC, with the current coach, John Speraw, being named the CEO and President of USA Volleyball. And now, the 63-year-old sets his gaze upon the 2028 Olympic Games.

Under the able guidance of Santa Barbara residents, the USA’s women’s volleyball team clinched its first Olympic gold in Tokyo three years ago. Moreover, Kiraly was also part of the Team USA squad that won gold on the grandest stage in 1984, 1988, and 1996. Naturally, his wisdom and expertise in the sport make him the perfect candidate to fill the shows of Speraw. With that, fans expect to see Karch Kiraly make his thundering return to the same city that brought him his first Olympic hardware.

The USA Volleyball made the official announcement via an article on October 24. “USA Volleyball is pleased to announce that Karch Kiraly will transition to head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Quadrennial,” the article notes without beating around the bush. Considering the illustrious resume Kiraly boasts both as a player and the coach of the USA women’s team, Speraw is naturally thrilled to see the heights the men’s team reaches with the former at the helm of things.

“I am thrilled that Team USA’s greatest winner will be moving from the U.S. Women’s Team to lead the U.S. Men into LA 2028. I have complete and total trust in Karch’s process. He has a relentless work ethic, brilliant intellect and is a selfless teacher,” the newly appointed USA Volleyball CEO stated. On the other hand, the thrill of returning to familiar territories is just as exciting for the man himself. Regarding the transition to the men’s team, Kiraly said, “Chances to collaborate with some of the best people and players on the planet—and to represent our country while striving for incredibly difficult goals like Olympic gold medals—are precious beyond words.”

“For one-quarter of my life, I’ve poured everything I have into the U.S. Women’s Team; first as an assistant, then as head coach. Now, it’s time for new adventures and new challenges,” Kiraly noted, looking forward to the next chapter of his life. With Karch Kiraly at the helm, the USA women’s volleyball team has risen to become a global powerhouse, and their male colleagues aim to achieve similar success with the former on board.

Karch Kiraly takes charge of a capable team

Bagging a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USA men’s volleyball team is currently ranked third in the world. The team currently boasts six Olympic medals (three of them gold, and two of those three with Kiraly on the team), one FIVB World Championship, and two World Cups under its belt. With more achievements in numerous other tournaments, including the PanAm Games, PanAm Cup, and NORCECA Championship, it suffices to say that the team isn’t alien to success on international stages. With Kiraly leading the charge, the USA’s men’s volleyball stars can now expect a fresh supply of confidence to reclaim their top status on home soil four years from now.

The exiting men’s HC believes including Kiraly on the team was the only sensible thing to do as the spot for the head coach opened up, especially considering the past exploits of the latter as part of the men’s team and the HC of the women’s squad. “All of us at USA Volleyball recognize that our record of success in the sport began when Karch led Team USA to the gold medal in 1984. I think it is fitting that when Karch steps onto the court at the LA Olympics, he will be competing with the men’s team one more time,” Speraw commented on his colleague’s new role. Are you as excited as the newly appointed USA Volleyball CEO to see what Karch Kiraly brings to the table? Tell us in a comment below.