SIOUX FALLS – With a long record of accolades and experience, Dan Mathews has been named to lead the University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Program, according to an announcement today by USF Director of Athletics Pam Gohl.

"I am excited to have Coach Mathews leading our volleyball program," said Gohl. "Dan brings to USF a wealth of experience and success as both a national-awarding winning coach and a former All-American player. With his diverse background, he will provide the student-athletes in our program with the best mentoring and coaching. His connections in the volleyball community will enable him to continue bringing top student-athletes to USF," she said.

 A former professional volleyball player and All-American at The Ohio State University, Mathews joins USF after leading both the Cardinal Stritch women's and men's volleyball programs in Milwaukee, Wisc., over the past four plus seasons. In 2018, he was the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Coach of the Year as selected by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. In both 2018 and 2020, he was named the Chicagoland College Athletic Conference Men's Coach of the Year.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisc., Mathews looks forward to the opportunity to lead a solid USF program.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve as USF's next head coach.  I would especially like to thank Athletic Director Pam Gohl, Assistant AD/Senior Woman's Administration Micha Thompson and the entire search committee for making this such a smooth process," said Mathews, who played professional volleyball from 2008-13 in Spain, United Arab Emirates and Switzerland before entering coaching.  I'm honored by the faith they've put in me to lead this team, and I appreciate all the support I've received from the USF community," said Matthews, who led Clarke University (Dubuque, Iowa) to a 24-7 record as the head men's coach in 2014-15. Then, he took an assistant position for indoor volleyball and sand volleyball at the University of Portland in 2015-16.

"What really impresses me about USF are the place, the people and the mission.  The academic and athletic facilities are phenomenal, and will allow us to grow into the best team we can be.  The administration is so clearly passionate about providing an exemplary student-athlete experience, and the volleyball players are so deeply invested in succeeding as students, athletes and individuals," Mathews said.  "Finally, USF's faith-centered commitment to the student-athlete allows us to pursue excellence on the court while remaining grounded in the things that matter most," he said.

Coming into this position, Mathews senses challenges but also opportunity as a member of one of the elite DII conferences. And, it motivates him.

"Over the past decade, USF has proven itself to be a worthy member of NCAA DII's toughest volleyball conference.  Competing in the NSIC is a privilege that I'm thrilled about.  It is truly one of the premier leagues in the country, and I'm so excited to be a part of it," said Mathews, a DI All-American in 2007-08 at Ohio State when he was the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Player of the Year both seasons. "I've been fortunate enough to learn from some of best minds in volleyball, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing that knowledge tested by the NSIC," he said.

At USF, he will be focused on instilling a culture of gratitude, inspiration, faith and hard work.

"It is a remarkable blessing to be able to lead this program through that process," noted Mathews, who earned a Bachelor Degree (Medieval European History) in 2008 at Ohio State and a Master of Science Degree in Sport Management from Cardinal Stritch in 2020.  "USF and its volleyball team have invested me with an enormous amount of trust. I am committed to exceeding the expectations of that responsibility and I can't wait to begin," he said.

A three-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete and 2008 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients, Mathews led Cardinal Stritch Women's Volleyball program to a 44-54 and a conference (CCAC) mark of 34-20 (.629). In the 2017 and 2018 seasons, he directed the team to fourth place finishes and they qualified for the CCAC Tournament. In 2019, the Wolves narrowly missed qualifying for the CCAC Tournament with a three-way tie for seventh place.

With Mathew's direction, the Cardinal Stritch Men's Volleyball Team accumulated an impressive 76-37 overall (.670) record, which included a 37-8 mark in conference play (.820). In the three seasons Mathews coached the team, the Wolves qualified for the CCAC postseason tournament and in 2018 claimed the CCAC Tournament Title. In 2017 and 2018 Cardinal Stritch qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Despite a shortened season in 2020, Cardinal Stritch earned the CCAC championship with a record of 13-3 overall and a perfect 9-0 in conference play.

Mathews graduated from Shorewood High School in Milwaukee in 2004 after earning back-to-back State Player of the Year accolades in boys' volleyball (2003, 2004).  He continued playing NCAA Division 1 volleyball at the Ohio State University, where he was a four-year starter.  At OSU, his teams earned two NCAA Final Four appearances and two MIVA Conference Championships.  He was named to the MIVA First-Team All-Conference three times, was the 2005 MIVA Freshman of the Year, was a two-time MIVA Conference Player of the Year and earned NCAA First-Team All-American honors twice.
 
After leaving Ohio State, he played five years of professional volleyball overseas.  He played with Al-Ain Sport Club in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and then with Volley Guada in Guadalajara (Spain).  He was a member of the European Cup Qualifiers in Switzerland for three years; he spent one season with Volley Amriswil and two seasons with Chenois Volleyball Club in Geneva. In addition, Mathews has experience with the USA National Team.  He competed in the 2003 FIVB NORCECA (North American, Central American and Caribbean) Youth National World Qualifier in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Mathews also competed in the 2005 FIVB NORCECA Junior National World Qualifier in Winnipeg, Canada. 

In 2006, Mathews traveled to Visakhapatnam, India to compete in the FIVB Junior World Championships.  In 2008-2009, he trained with Team USA in Anaheim, Calif., under Hugh McCutcheon and Ron Larson, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal-winning coaches.
 
He has two sons, Lucas (8) and Thomas (6).