The American Volleyball Coaches Association is pleased to announce that Morehead State University Director of Athletics Dr. Jaime Gordon will become its new executive director. He takes over for Kathy DeBoer, who announced her retirement from the AVCA earlier this month. Gordon is expected to start at the AVCA in June.

“The role of executive director requires a unique combination of coaching and administrative experience. Dr. Jaime Gordon comes to the AVCA as a dedicated and successful professional in both spaces,” said Keegan Cook, president of the AVCA Board of Directors and head women’s volleyball coach at Minnesota. “Jaime’s decision to pivot from his role as a successful sitting D1 athletic director and dedicate himself wholly to the AVCA is one that I certainly respect. I feel this is a moment of celebration that the sport of volleyball and the AVCA has grown to a position where we can attract a candidate as qualified and experienced as Jaime.”

Gordon has spent the past 20 years in athletics at Morehead State where he became the winningest coach in the school’s history in any sport before ascending to the athletics director chair in 2019. His leadership skills led him to excel at fundraising, facility improvements, and critical partnerships.

“I am overwhelmed by this incredible opportunity to serve the sport of volleyball and the profession of coaching as the executive director of the AVCA,” said Gordon. “I am grateful for the trust that Keegan and the Board have placed in me to lead an association that has profoundly influenced me and thousands of other coaches for the past four decades. The concept of succeeding Kathy DeBoer is daunting. She has been a role model for coaching, administering, and leading others. I pledge to tirelessly continue to advance and protect the vision started by AVCA founders Terry Liskevych and Andy Banachowski 42 years ago, nurtured by Sandy Vivas, and developed by Kathy for the past 17 years.”

Gordon has been a consistent contributor and leader in the AVCA, serving on the DI Head Coaches Committee, chairing the marketing subcommittee, presenting numerous convention sessions, and founding the Coaches 4 Coaches scholarship award. He was also the first DI coach in the region to convince his president to add a women’s beach volleyball team.

“As the father of two volleyball-playing daughters, a veteran DI coach, and a director of athletics, Jaime Gordon has worked in every facet of our sport,” said DeBoer, who has served as the AVCA executive director since 2006. “Just as importantly, our future will require new eyes and an entrepreneurial spirit, and he has both!”

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What they are saying about Dr. Jaime Gordon:

Mary Wise, University of Florida women’s volleyball coach:

“The AVCA is so fortunate to have the baton passed from one outstanding leader to the next. At a time when our sport is seeing unprecedented growth, and the challenges that come with it, we can’t ask for a better person than Jaime Gordon to lead us forward.”

Kevin Hambly, Stanford University women’s volleyball coach:

“Kathy leaves enormous shoes to fill with her departure from the AVCA. However, Jaime is a fantastic choice to be the next Executive Director of the AVCA and has the qualities and integrity to lead the association. He has been a leader already within the AVCA for many years. Few have the experience that he has as far as being a volleyball coach and administrator. The AVCA board and the membership are lucky to have him take the helm.”

Pauline Thiros, Idaho State Director of Athletics and chair of the NCAA Division I volleyball committee:

“Jaime Gordon is uniquely qualified to navigate the challenges ahead, and in fact, I am certain he will quickly flip them to opportunities for our sport to advance. He has proven success as an administrator in collegiate sport and is a veteran coach who understands and cares deeply for coaches and athletes. Jaime is a gifted and respected leader. I offer the highest praise for this appointment.”

Jerritt Elliott, University of Texas women’s volleyball coach:

“The AVCA has been the leader for the growth of our sport. We are all grateful for the endless commitment and passion Kathy DeBoer’s has poured into volleyball and the association. Jaime Gordon has the knowledge, passion, and trust to succeed her. He also has a unique skill set to communicate and motivate at a high level. He has had to manage head coaches as an AD and understands the needs of athletes as an elite coach. Lastly, Jaime understands that volleyball has huge momentum behind it and desires to push the envelope to grow the game to a level we have never seen in this country. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the coaches, thank you AVCA for bringing in the next great leader for this sport.”

Danielle Calo Martine, Sports Imports, Inc. President:

“AVCA has had tremendous success in growing volleyball in numbers as well as capturing the interest of audiences and making the sport more accessible. Sports Imports is looking forward to the future of our partnership at the direction of Jaime Gordon. His innovative and charismatic approach to tackling new challenges is exciting not only for the advocacy of coaches but the continued investment in the visibility of our sport.”