IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine has launched a national search for a new men's volleyball head coach, announced by Athletic Director Michael Izzi.

The search begins following the departure of John Speraw, who accepted a similar position at UCLA, his alma mater.

Speraw served as the Anteaters' head coach the past 10 seasons, leading UCI to three national titles in the last six years, including this season.  UCI is just the fifth school all-time to win multiple NCAA men's volleyball championships.

With UCI's first national championship in 2007, Speraw became the only individual in NCAA men's volleyball history to have won a title as a head coach, assistant coach and player.  He was named National Coach of the Year in 2006 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, and he was selected as Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year in 2006 and this season.

"I am confident that we will be able to attract a high-quality pool of candidates with the foundation that John has built at UCI," Izzi said.  "We are extremely grateful to him for his outstanding efforts and the national exposure he brought to our program, and wish John the best in his future endeavors."

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