UNC volleyball head coach Joe Sagula is retiring after 33 seasons with the program, Carolina announced Monday morning. Sagula has won 10 ACC championships (seven regular-season, three tournament) with the Tar Heels.

“As I made this decision to retire, my main focus was to ensure that I leave this program in a strong position to continue to compete for championships, and I feel that timing is right,” Sagula said in a statement. “It has been an honor to coach at Carolina and I’m very proud of the strong foundation we have built over many years to become a nationally competitive program, and with a terrific squad of players returning and talented recruits coming in, this program is primed to continue to do great things.”

After joining the Tar Heels in 1990, Sagula led the team to 15 NCAA Tournaments. Carolina posted a 662-384 record in his tenure, and Sagula’s 865 wins made him the third most-winningest active head coach in college volleyball at the time of his retirement. He is also among the top 20 in all-time wins in Division 1 volleyball. In addition, Sagula holds ACC records for most regular-season championships (seven) and most regular-season wins (364). Carolina finished among the top three in the ACC 14 times.

“Joe’s long commitment to Carolina and the sport of volleyball shows not only in his program’s success on the court, but also in his student-athletes’ success off of it,’’ said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “He has been a dedicated teacher and mentor to his teams and a leader within our Department and University. He leaves our volleyball program in a strong position for the future, and we wish Joe all the best in retirement.”

Sagula coached five ACC Players of the Year, two ACC Defensive Players of the Year and five ACC Freshmen of the Year. Twenty-two of his players have earned All-America nods and 82 have earned All-ACC honors.

Sagula was inducted into the NC Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2020. In 2022, he was named one of 50 Champions of Carolina Women’s Athletics.

“With Joe’s retirement, Carolina Athletics and the sport of volleyball loses an extraordinary coach, lifelong mentor, and dedicated teacher,’’ said UNC chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz. “His commitment to his players and excellence on and off the field has been an inspiration for our entire campus community. We are grateful for his legacy and the strong foundation he has built for our volleyball program’s future.”

A national search for the program’s next coach will begin immediately, with Sagula remaining the head coach until a successor is named.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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