LOS ANGELES – UCLA Athletics announced today the hiring of
Nick Vogel as the new assistant coach for the UCLA women’s volleyball program. A Bruin alumnus and former standout on the court, Vogel returns to the women’s side in Westwood after three seasons as the head assistant coach for the UCLA men’s volleyball team under head coach John Hawks.
“We are thrilled to welcome
Nick Vogel to UCLA women’s volleyball,” said head coach
Alfee Reft. “Nick brings a championship pedigree, a brilliant volleyball mind, and a deep passion for developing the athletes he works with. Nick was a tremendous player himself and is an even better coach. His high-level experience as a player for the Bruins and our USA National Team, his experience in developing top-talent on both the women’s and men’s side and mostly, and mostly, his commitment to excellence will without a doubt make an immediate impact on our program both on and off the court.”
Over his three seasons on the bench at UCLA, Vogel helped the Bruins win two NCAA National Collegiate Championships in 2023 and 2024, and led the Bruins to another NCAA finals appearance in 2025. UCLA posted a 79-14 (.850 winning percentage) record and went 33-3 (.917 winning percentage) in MPSF conference play.
In 2025, Vogel helped the Bruins to a third-straight NCAA title match, coached four All-Americans, and helped UCLA post over 20 wins for the third season in a row. Under Vogel’s tutelage, Cooper Robinson was named MPSF Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. Additionally, Andrew Rowan earned his third AVCA first-team All-America honors and MPSF first-team acclaim, Cameron Thorne claimed AVCA first-team All-America accolades, and Zach Rama earned a spot on the AVCA second-team All-America list. The Bruins also won the MPSF regular season crown in 2025.
In 2024, Vogel helped guide the Bruins to a second-straight NCAA men’s volleyball title. It marked UCLA’s first back-to-back NCAA men’s volleyball crowns since the 1995 and 1996 campaigns and the first time UCLA had put together three straight 20-win seasons since the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons. At the end of the season five Bruins earned AVCA All-America honors, while Merrick McHenry won the Ryan Millar award as the top middle attacker in the country.
With Vogel in his first year on staff, UCLA captured its first NCAA Championship since the 2006 campaign and 20th overall title. The Bruins also won their first MPSF Tournament Championship since the 2006 season. The 12-0 regular-season MPSF record was UCLA’s first unbeaten ledger since it posted a 19-0 mark in 1995. The Bruins led the nation in hitting percentage (.382), blocking average (2.80) and set assists (12.64). Middle blocker Merrick McHenry topped the nation with a .526 attack percentage and was named winner of the Ryan Millar Award as the top middle attacker in the country. Guy Genis rated fourth nationally in blocks per set (1.21). The Bruins also were rated among the nation’s top five in kills/s (second), aces/s (third) and opponent hitting percentage (eighth).
“Returning to the program that gave me my first opportunity in coaching is deeply meaningful,” Vogel said. “UCLA Women’s Volleyball shaped my foundation, and to now rejoin this family feels like coming home. I’m grateful to head coach Alfee Reft for his years of inspiration and guidance, and for embodying what it means to lead with integrity, tireless work ethic, emotional connection, and genuine humanity. I’m also thankful to Kenny Donaldson for his steady support and trust in me, not just as a coach and a Bruin, but as a person. I’m honored to serve alongside this incredible staff and support these exceptional student-athletes in a culture that’s passionate, joyful, and relentless. My goal is to elevate the environment in every way I can, while staying true to the legacy and spirit of what it means to be a Bruin.”
Prior to his coaching stint at UCLA, Vogel served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the DePaul University women’s volleyball team. During his tenure, DePaul reached the Big East championship match for the first time in program history and posted its most successful season in two decades. The Blue Demons’ staff was named 2021 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year.
Vogel’s coaching résumé also includes impactful stints at UC San Diego, San Diego, and his alma mater UCLA, where he served as a volunteer assistant for the women’s team in 2015. Across these roles, he has developed All-Conference and All-American talent, overseen recruiting and scouting operations, and led successful summer camp programs.
A four-year starter for the Bruins from 2009–12 under legendary coach Al Scates, Vogel appeared in 99 matches and ranks No. 4 on UCLA’s rally-scoring total blocks list. He also represented Team USA in multiple international competitions, including the 2014 FIVB World Championship and the 2011 Pan American Games, before playing professionally in Greece and Germany, where he won both the German Cup and Bundesliga title.