NORTHWEST NOTES: Feb. 10, 2022

Vandals tab Gonzalez

as new volleyball coach

Idaho athletic director Terry Gawlik named Chris Gonzalez as its seventh head volleyball coach on Wednesday. Gonzalez will be joined by assistants Bryan Bastuba and Kalisha Goree.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank our Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik for this occasion to return to college volleyball," Gonzalez said. "During the interview process, I was most compelled by the vision and goals Terry and the administration have set not only for volleyball but for the entirety of the athletic department. Her goals are clear and direct. The opportunity to work with an administrator with a volleyball background, someone who genuinely cares about the growth and evolution of our sport cannot be overstated. I am both honored and humbled to lead this program forward."

Gonzalez takes over for former Idaho volleyball coach Debbie Buchanan, who retired after 22 years, 320 wins, 16 conference postseason appearances and two NCAA tournament appearances as the Vandals head coach.

A native of St. Maries and a former Lumberjack volleyball star, Buchanan took the reins of Vandal Volleyball beginning in 2000.

"When I considered the staff, thoughtfulness, progressive, caring, and detail-oriented were the characteristics I felt our program deserved," Gonzalez said. "I wanted to be a part of a staff that could challenge each other and our student-athletes. Kalisha and Bryan were my first calls, both are thinkers and educators, bright, and forward thinking. They are also terrific trainers with the rare ability to teach and skill-develop with the ball. On Day 1, we will have one of the top training staffs in the country and our student-athletes will benefit greatly from their expertise."

For the last two decades, Gonzalez has coached some of the top teams and players from around the world. His experience includes ten seasons at the NCAA Division I level and over 500 international and professional matches worldwide.

"I'm so excited for our volleyball program to have the opportunity to work with Chris and his staff," Gawlik said. "They bring a new energy and excitement to not only our volleyball program but our entire department. Chris is one of the premier volleyball analysts in not only the country, but the entire world. Chris was highly recommended to me by Kelly Sheffield, head coach at Wisconsin, who just won a national championship. We are thrilled to get someone of that caliber."

Gonzalez also served as a head and assistant coach with the USA women's national team, Netherlands national team, and Czech Republic junior national teams.