Speraw leaves UCI for UCLA

John Speraw, who coached the UC Irvine men’s volleyball team to NCAA titles in 2012, 2009 and 2007, has left the school after 10 seasons to become coach at UCLA, Bruins’ Athletic Director Dan Guerrero announced Tuesday.

Speraw, 40, replaces Al Scates, who retired after 50 seasons. Speraw played for two UCLA national championship teams and was an assistant coach when the Bruins won NCAA crowns in 1998 and 2000.

Speraw was 199-106 at UCI, where he catapulted the Anteaters to national prominence and guided them to the NCAA Final Four four times in the last seven seasons. UCI won Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championships in 2009 and 2006 and Speraw was named National Coach of the Year in 2006.

“It is a great honor to be asked to lead one of the greatest programs in NCAA sports history,” Speraw said in a statement. “Al Scates is a great friend and mentor. I hope to continue his legacy of producing great championship teams.

“As I walked around campus last week, I remembered why I chose UCLA years ago. I love the campus. I love the people at UCLA and the values that we share. I loved my experiences as a student-athlete and a young coach and am very much looking forward to my experiences as a head coach at my alma mater. This is indeed home and I am excited to be back.”

Speraw is also an assistant coach for the U.S. men’s national team, which he helped guide to a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

—From staff reports