Jeff Nygaard, the head men’s volleyball coach at the University of  Southern California, is joining the AVCA Board of Directors.

He becomes the NCAA Division I-II Men’s Representative after being appointed to replace Donan Cruz. Nygaard will serve on the Board through Dec. 31, 2027.

The 2025 season marked Nygaard’s 10th at the helm of the USC men’s program, and he led the Trojans to a 21-7 record. That marks an eight-win improvement over last year, and his 2025 squad had 14 wins against ranked teams.

Before taking over as the USC head coach a decade ago, Nygaard served five years as a Trojan assistant from 2011–15. He had a storied playing career, which included being a three-time Olympian—US men’s indoor team member in 1996 and 2000 and beach Olympian in 2004—and playing on two college national championship teams at UCLA.

Effective immediately, Nygaard joins the other 16 members of the AVCA Board, which includes a blend of elected representatives and appointed members.