WICHITA- Newman Athletics announced Mike MacNeill as the next Head Volleyball Coach.

"I'm truly honored and excited to join Newman University as the new head coach," said MacNeill. "This is a special place with a strong tradition of academic and athletic excellence, and I'm eager to get to work with the talented student-athletes who represent the Jets. I want to thank Kenyon Spears and President Jagger for their trust and support throughout this process. I'm looking forward to building something special here and contributing to the continued success of Newman Athletics."

MacNeill joins the Jets from Fresno Pacific. While leading the Sunbirds, the team finished second in the PacWest with 15 wins in his first season. MacNeill and the Sunbirds posted an overall record of 23-16 in his two seasons. Under his leadership, three Sunbirds earned all-conference honors. 

Before his stint with the Fresno Pacific, MacNeill was the head coach at Tabor College for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. At Tabor, he led the Bluejays to an overall record of 43-21 (29-8 in conference). In the 2020 season, the Bluejays posted a 26-9 overall record and a 19-6 conference record. In 2021, they posted a 17-12 overall record with a 10-2 conference record to help lead them to a second place regular season finish in the KCAC and the semifinals of the KCAC conference tournament. 

"We are excited to welcome Mike and his family to Newman University," said Athletic Director Kenyon Spears. "During our search we were looking for a head coach with knowledge and experience in building programs, strong skill development, and connections in recruiting. In addition, we wanted someone who wanted to be at Newman to engulf themselves in the mission of the University and grow the experience of the student athletes in a positive way."

MacNeill began his collegiate head coaching career at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. In his three seasons at Wiley, MacNeill led the Wildcats to a 52-25 overall record. In the 2018 season, he led the Wildcats to a 20-4 record where they earned a share of the Red River Athletic Conference regular season championship and won the conference tournament to secure their bid to the NAIA playoffs. MacNeill earned the conference Coach of the Year.

MacNeill also brings years of experience of high school volleyball to his coaching resume:
- Riverside Poly High School: 2015-2016 (girls), 2016-2017 (boys)
- Martin Luther King High School: 2013-2014(girls), 2015 started boys volleyball
- Liberty High School: 2012 (girls)
- Kastner Intermediate School: 2011 (girls), 2012 (boys)
- Riverside Christian High School: 2009-2010 (girls)

"I am excited to get to work rebuilding this storied program," said MacNeill. "I plan to bring in a new style of play and a renewed energy that will translate to a great fan experience."

MacNeill is a graduate of California Baptist and has a master's degree in Education. MacNeill was a two time NAIA Champion in men's volleyball at California Baptist and a two time National Runner-Up. After graduation, MacNeill joined his alma mater as a volunteer assistant for the Men's Volleyball program.