UC Santa Barbara Taps Michael Henchy as New Women’s Volleyball Coach

UPDATE: UC Santa Barbara has just announced the hiring of Michael Henchy as the new Head Coach for the Women’s Volleyball team, effective immediately. This significant decision was revealed by Athletics Director Kelly Barsky earlier today, marking a major shift for the Gauchos.

Henchy arrives from Penn State University, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Nittany Lions to a stunning 2024 National Championship and an impressive 35-2 season. His track record as an assistant coach has set high expectations for UCSB as he aims to elevate the program to new heights.

“I am thrilled and honored to become the next head coach for UCSB women’s volleyball,” Henchy stated. “To now lead this great program brings me immense pride, and I will strive to build upon the legacy established by Kathy Gregory and the excellence sustained in the years under Nicole Lantagne Welch and Matt Jones.”

Henchy’s coaching achievements at Penn State include collaborating with the 2024 Big Ten Coach of the Year, Katie Schumacher-Cawley. During his tenure, he coached four All-Big Ten first team members and helped secure multiple conference awards for the team. The Nittany Lions maintained a 54-15 record under his guidance, reaching the NCAA tournament in 2025 as well.

Before his time at Penn State, Henchy was the Associate Head Coach at James Madison University, where he led the Dukes to become Sun Belt Conference champions in 2022 and qualified for the national tournament in both 2022 and 2023. His coaching career began at American University, where he helped the Eagles become the 2019 Patriot League champions.

Beyond his impressive coaching background, Henchy also boasts a notable playing history. As a standout player at Ohio State University, he was a two-year captain and remains among the school’s top all-time players, ranking in the top 20 for career kills and aces. His accolades also include an AVCA All-American honorable mention.

Henchy, who hails from Ventura, California, expressed excitement about returning to his roots. “I’d like to thank Kelly Barsky for her thoroughness during the interview process. Her vision for UCSB athletics sets a great tone for what we wish to accomplish as a program,” he said.

Barsky emphasized the importance of Henchy’s community connections and coaching experience, stating, “With his strong Santa Barbara community connection, people-focused vision and values, and exceptional playing and coaching experiences, I’m beyond excited to welcome Mike as the next leader of our women’s volleyball program.”

As the Gauchos prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Henchy as he works to build a championship-level team. The UCSB community eagerly awaits the opportunity to meet their new coach and support the program in a new direction.

Stay tuned for more updates as Henchy embarks on this exciting journey with the Gauchos!