IRVINE, Calif. --- Chris Volk, a central figure in the rise of UC Irvine men's soccer to national prominence, has been named head coach of the Anteaters, announced by UCI Athletic Director Michael Izzi.
Volk has served as UCI's lead assistant coach for the past 17 seasons and has been instrumental in helping guide the Anteaters to four nationally-seeded NCAA Tournament appearances in the past six years, including two trips to the Round of 16.
During that span, UCI has won four Big West Conference regular-season titles and four Big West Tournament championships with an overall record of 80-37-14.
"Chris has an extensive coaching résumé and his knowledge and skills have been key components in the success of our men's soccer program," Izzi said. "He is an outstanding representative of UCI and we are extremely confident and excited in his ability to direct our men's soccer program to perennial postseason competition."
Under Volk's direction as UCI's primary goalkeeper coach, the Anteaters have been one of the top programs in goals-against average, including a No. 6 national ranking of 0.63 in 2011. This season, UCI recorded 10 shutouts in the team's 15 victories.
Volk tutored two Big West Goalkeepers of the Year and MLS SuperDraft selections in Kenny Schoeni and Andrew Fontein, a 2011 Freshman All-American.
Volk was named 2008 Far West Region Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
"I would like to thank Chancellor Drake, Mike Izzi, Paula Smith, Paul Hope, Phil Wang and all of the UC Irvine administration for providing me the opportunity to be the next UC Irvine men's soccer head coach," Volk said.
"My family and I are extremely honored to continue to be a part of the Anteater Family and I am eager to get started with preparing our student-athletes for a successful 2014 campaign. I am highly motivated to build on the winning tradition that has been cultivated within our men's soccer program and supported by our athletic department and staff members," Volk added.
He and his wife, Amy, have a son, Kevin, and a daughter, Katie.
Prior to UC Irvine, Volk served as an assistant coach for his alma mater, San Diego State, from 1995-96. He also was head coach of the Grossmont High School girls' team, advancing to the CIF playoffs each year during his tenure from 1992-96. In 1994 he served as an assistant coach for the San Diego Mesa College women's and men's squads.
He played at San Diego State from 1987-1991 for an Aztec program that was the NCAA Division I runner-up his freshman year. In 1990, he earned the team's Most Inspirational Player Award.
After concluding his collegiate career, Volk played for professional teams such as the Anaheim Splash, the A-League Orange County Zodiac, and the Las Vegas Dustdevils, winners of the 1994 Continental Indoor Soccer League Championship.
His vast coaching credentials include stints at the youth club level, where he was the goalkeeper coach for San Diego's F.C. Bratz and a head coach for the Scripps Ranch Soccer Club form 1992-96. Locally in Orange County, he has held positions as a director for Mission Viejo Soccer Club and was the technical director for the former North Irvine Soccer Club. As assistant coach of the California State Amateur team, Volk won national titles in three consecutive Donnelly Cups from 2003-05. He also spent two seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Storm PDL team from 2006-07.
Currently, Volk is involved with the Olympic Developmental Program, coaching with the Region IV and Nevada state ODP staffs, working to develop U.S. soccer within the youth ranks. Volk is the director of coaching at North Huntington Beach FC and volunteers with Costa Mesa AYSO Region 120. He holds a USSF National "A" License, USSF National GK License, USSF National Youth License as well as an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.
"Chris Volk is, and always has been, one of the best resources in college soccer," said Eric Wynalda, former U.S. Men's National Team, Major League Soccer and foreign professional player. "With him at the helm, now it's clear that they (UCI) will continue to be a force on the West Coast.
"He has waited a long time for this opportunity and UC Irvine is lucky to have such a quality person leading their program and young talented soccer players who get the chance to play for him. I'm happy for a friend," added Wynalda, a current TV soccer analyst and head coach of the North American Soccer League's Atlanta Silverbacks.
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