ORLANDO - Jason Tanaka, a 25-year collegiate coaching veteran with Big 12 experience, has been hired as associate head coach for UCF volleyball, head coach Jenny Maurer announced on Wednesday.
"I am thrilled that Jason will be joining my staff as an associate head coach," said Maurer. "Having coached at two Big 12 programs (Baylor, TCU), three Power 5 schools, plus having experienced a major conference transition (TCU: Mountain West to Big 12), Jason not only brings a wealth of knowledge about our upcoming conference opponents but also an elite level of preparation, attention to detail, recruiting connections and training skills necessary to compete for championships. Described by colleagues as 'tireless, meticulous and having high character' it comes as no surprise that Jason has positively impacted every program (college, club and high school) he's been a part of and I cannot wait to welcome him to the Knights Volleyball family."
Tanaka makes the move to Orlando after spending the past 21 years in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. He joins UCF following a one-year stint as Head Volleyball Coach at Southlake Carroll High School, where the Dragons finished the season as the Bi-District Champion and Area Champion. Before Southlake Carroll, he helped lead SMU to back-to-back conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, the Mustangs recorded their first NCAA tournament victory over Texas A&M. He served as the assistant coach from 2015-2022.
Preceding SMU, Tanaka spent 13 seasons at TCU as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. While working with TCU, Tanaka was selected to work with USA Volleyball and its developmental programs. He helped TCU reach its first-ever NCAA tournament in 2009 and the Horned Frogs garnered second-place finishes in Conference USA in 2004 and Mountain West in 2009.
Prior to arriving at TCU, Tanaka spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh. With the Panthers, Tanaka's responsibilities included coordinating the team's training and assisting with the recruiting efforts.
He also served two seasons as an assistant coach at Baylor (1998-99). He helped lead the Bears to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth and a school-record 26-9 record in 1999. Baylor finished the season ranked 20th nationally and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual champion Penn State.
Before his two-year stint at Baylor, Tanaka spent one season at his alma mater, Arizona, as a volunteer assistant. Tanaka served as a manager for head coach David Rubio from 1994-1997 during his undergraduate studies.
"I am humbled and excited to be joining the UCF volleyball program and thrilled to start play in the Big 12," said Tanaka. "I would like to extend my greatest thanks to Jenny Maurer, Vice President & Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir, and Deputy Athletics Director Chris McFarlane for giving me this opportunity to help Coach Maurer in the continued success of the program that she has been a part of over the last seven years. I have worked with some amazing coaches that have mentored and shared their knowledge with me and I am ready to take my knowledge and experience, coupled with my passion for the game, and share it with this talented team."
Tanaka began his coaching career in 1991 when he was appointed head coach of the Huntington Beach High School freshman volleyball team in Huntington Beach, California. He later went on to serve as an assistant for the school's boys and girls varsity squads. The boys won back-to-back California Interscholastic Federation championships in 1993 and 1994.
Tanaka graduated from the University of Arizona in 1997 with a degree in communications.
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