UMKC Names Baylor's Geno Frugoli Head Volleyball Coach
1/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jan. 4, 2007
UMKC Interim Athletics Director Rick Anderson announced Thursday the hiring of Geno Frugoli as the new head coach of the Kangaroo volleyball program. Frugoli has spent the past three seasons as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Baylor University.
"We're excited to welcome Geno to our program," said Anderson. "Geno stood out amongst the applicants with his previous head coaching experience and his success in rebuilding programs from the ground up. He has a solid plan for enhancing the student-athlete experience and UMKC is committed to making additional investments in the program in order to be in a position to compete for Mid-Con championships."
"I am very excited for the opportunity to come to UMKC, as this is something that I have worked 16 years for," said Frugoli. "Being the head coach at UMKC is a great opportunity and I believe this school has a great deal of promise and a future commitment to excellence. I am looking forward to getting to Kansas City to start rebuilding this program."
While at Baylor, Frugoli was the primary recruiter who brought seven players that were ranked among the top-150 and the No.1 player from the state of Texas to Waco in the past three seasons. Last year's class received national acclaim, as it was tabbed as the No. 16 ranked class in the country.
During his time on the sidelines, Frugoli helped the Bears increase their RPI from 196 to a season-high 32 in 2006. Additionally, he helped the squad to several victories over top-25 programs. The team also thrived in the classroom, as it received several academic all-District awards with a team grade point average of 3.3.
"Geno is a quality person and a quality coach and he's gained some outstanding experience in the volleyball coaching profession," said Baylor Head Volleyball Coach Jim Barnes. "He truly knows the game and he's a great recruiter. He has strong values and he'll build the program the right way."
Prior to heading to Waco, Frugoli started the first men's volleyball program in the state of Nebraska at Peru State College, and his team was ranked No. 7 in the nation when he departed. He was also in charge of the women's program that was the conference runner-up with a 12-6 record in 2003 and they advanced to the first MCAC conference final appearance in school history. During his year on the sidelines, Frugoli coached one honorable mention All-America selection, four all-conference selections and three Academic All-Americans.
From 2000-03, Frugoli served as the head coach at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., where he led his team to a top-10 NAIA regional ranking. He coached six all-conference, one all-Region and five Academic All-Americans in his three seasons.
Frugoli also coached at the high school and club levels in Las Vegas from 1993-2000, including serving as director of operations of All Sport Las Vegas Volleyball Club, Nevada's largest club program, during that entire span. He compiled a 82-28 overall record during his time at Las Vegas High School. Additionally, his men's team won the 1999 conference championship, and he was voted as the conference's coach of the year.
Frugoli received a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1992 and a bachelor's degree in education in 1996. He also earned his master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Sioux Falls in 2002.
He will start with UMKC in mid-January.
