Dan Fisher (volleyball)

Last updated

Dan Fisher
Current position
Title Head coach
Team Pittsburgh
Conference ACC
Record258–62 (.806)
Biographical details
Born (1976-03-19) March 19, 1976 (age 48)
Goleta, California
Alma mater University of the Pacific (BA, MA)
Playing career
1995–1996 Hawai'i
1997 Cal State Northridge
1998–1999 Pacific
2000–2001 Flag of the United States.svg United States
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1999–2000 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Prefaxis Menen
2002Club Santa Barbara 16's
2003–2004 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Appenzell Gotten Girl's Youth
2004–2007 Pacific (Assistant, Men's/Women's)
2007 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Men's National Team (Assistant)
2007–2009 San Francisco (Associate HC)
2009–2011 Hawai'i (Associate HC)
2011–2012 Concordia Irvine
2012 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Women's National Team (Assistant)
2013–present Pittsburgh
2015–2016 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Women's National Team (Assistant)
2020–2021 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Women's Jr. National Team
Head coaching record
Overall333–64 (.839)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NAIA National Championship (2012)
5x ACC Champions (2017-2019, 2022-2023)
Awards
NAIA/AVCA National Coach of the Year (2011)
NAIA Tournament Coach of the Year (2012)
3x AVCA East Region Coach of the Year (2017, 2018, 2022)
2x ACC Coach of the Year (2017, 2018)
Medal record
Head coach for the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States women's volleyball
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Toronto Indoor
Pan-American Cup
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2016 Pan-American Cup Indoor
U21 Pan American Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2023 Mexico{{{2}}}

Daniel Thomas Fisher (born March 19, 1976) [1] is an American retired indoor and beach volleyball player. He is the current head coach of the University of Pittsburgh women's volleyball team.

Contents

Personal life

Fisher is a native of Goleta, California. He graduated from Pacific in 1999 with a major in sociology and minor in religious studies. In 2008, he returned to Pacific as an assistant coach on the men and women's team and simultaneously earned a master's degree in sport science. [2] [3]

Fisher is married to Joni Fisher. They have a daughter, Eden, and son, Max. Fisher enjoys playing the guitar/ukulele in his spare time. [2]

Playing career

Fisher began his collegiate volleyball career at Hawai'i where he played for two years. He transferred to Cal State Northridge but eventually left after playing for them for one year because they cut their men's volleyball program. [3] He eventually settled on University of the Pacific and played for them until his graduation in 1999. After graduation, he played professionally in Europe for five years, including three in Spain and one season each in Belgium and Switzerland.

Fisher also represented team USA in both indoor and beach. He competed for five years on the AVP Professional Beach Volleyball Tour earning a pair of 13th-place finishes. He also represented team USA on the indoor side during tournaments in Japan and France in 2000 and 2001. [2]

Coaching career

Fisher began his coaching career overseas, coaching Club Volleyball Menen for the 1999–2000 season and later spent the 2003–04 season coaching the Volleyball Club Appenzell Gotten Girl's Youth in Switzerland. Fisher also coached the Club Santa Barbara 16's in 2002. [2] Prior to becoming a head coach, Fisher had various assistant coaching roles with multiple teams including San Francisco, Hawai'i, Pacific and the U.S. men's and women's national teams. He led the U.S. women's national team to a gold medal in the 2015 Pan American games and a bronze medal in the 2016 Pan American Cup. [3]

Concordia Irvine

Fisher's first collegiate head coach job took him to Concordia University Irvine, where he led the team to two straight appearances in the NAIA National Championship match, winning the title in 2012. In his two years at Concordia, his teams went undefeated in conference play and had an overall 75–2 record. [2]

His first season performance captured the attention of the volleyball community. The following summer, Hugh McCutcheon invited him to serve as an assistant with Team USA at the 2012 Pan American Cup, where he also coached alongside Hall of Fame coach Mike Hebert. After helping Team USA to a gold medal in the tournament, Hebert pulled Fisher aside and said he would put a good word in for him if he ever decided to try to go for a coaching job in an NCAA Division I school. After leading Concordia to the NAIA National Championship in 2012, Division I interest quickly started to build in Fisher. [3]

Pittsburgh

In 2013, Fisher was named the head coach for the women's volleyball team at Pittsburgh. When Fisher took the helm at Pittsburgh, they were not a program in contention for national rankings and had not reached an NCAA Tournament since 2004. [4]

In his first season, the Panthers began to show strength as they took then-No. 22 Purdue to five sets. He guided Pittsburgh to its highest totals in the following categories since 2009: hitting percentage (.230), kills/set (13.27), total kills (1725), assists/set (12.58), total assists (1635) and total aces (208) The Panthers chipped away for the next couple of seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2016, their first trip since 2004. Then, Fisher led the Panthers to three straight ACC conference titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2020, despite the Panthers finishing 3rd in conference play, they advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, the program's highest ever finish. [2]

In 2021, Fisher led Pittsburgh to the first NCAA final four appearance in school history. The team defeated UMBC, Penn State, Kansas, and Purdue leading up the final four before losing to Nebraska by a score of 3–1. Pittsburgh finished the season with a 30–4 record. [5]

In 2022, Pittsburgh was the Co-ACC champions with Louisville, going 17–1 in conference play and advanced to its second straight NCAA final four, eliminating defending 2021 NCAA champion Wisconsin in the Elite Eight. [6]

In 2023, Pitt shared the ACC Championship with Florida State, going 16–2 in conference play and advanced to its third consecutive NCAA Final Four. The Panthers defeated Louisville in a reverse sweep win the Elite Eight.

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Concordia Irvine (Golden State Athletic Conference)(2011–2012)
2011Concordia Irvine 37–218–01st NAIA National Runner-Up
2012Concordia Irvine 38–018–01st NAIA National Champions
Concordia Irvine:75–2 (.974)36–0 (1.000)
Pittsburgh (Atlantic Coast Conference)(2013–present)
2013Pittsburgh 19–1411–95th
2014Pittsburgh 25–613–5
2015Pittsburgh 23–913–7
2016Pittsburgh 25–915–5T–3rd NCAA Second Round
2017Pittsburgh 26–718–2T–1st NCAA Second Round
2018Pittsburgh 30–217–11st NCAA Second Round
2019Pittsburgh 30–218–01st NCAA Second Round
2020Pittsburgh 19–514–43rd NCAA Regional Final
2021Pittsburgh 30–415–3T–2nd NCAA Final Four
2022Pittsburgh 31–417–1T–1st NCAA Final Four
2023Pittsburgh 29–516–2T–1st NCAA Final Four
Pittsburgh:286–66 (.813)153–37 (.813)
Total:361–68 (.841)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misty May-Treanor</span> American beach volleyball player (born 1977)

Misty Elizabeth May-Treanor is an American retired professional beach volleyball player. She is a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and as of August 2012, was the most successful female beach volleyball player having won 112 tournaments in domestic and international competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers</span> Athletic teams of the University of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams representing the University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students. Pitt fields 19 university-sponsored varsity teams at the highest level of competitive collegiate athletics in the United States: the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for American football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball</span> Basketball team of the University of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays their home games in the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers were retroactively recognized as the pre-NCAA tournament national champion twice by the Helms Athletic Foundation and once by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. Pitt has reached one Final Four, received 15 First Team All-American selections, appeared in 27 NCAA tournaments through the 2022–23 season, and has recorded 1,674 victories against 1,232 losses since their inaugural season of 1905–06.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball</span> College basketball team

Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate women's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt women's basketball team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and plays their home games in the Petersen Events Center. The university first sponsored women's basketball on the varsity level in 1914 and have appeared in five straight national post-season tournaments between 2006 and 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agnus Berenato</span> American basketball coach (born 1956)

Agnus Berenato, is a former basketball coach. She was the head women's basketball coach at Rider from 1982 to 1985, Georgia Tech from 1989 to 2003, Pittsburgh from 2003 to 2013, and Kennesaw State from 2016 to 2021. She is the all-time wins leader among women's basketball head coaches at the University of Pittsburgh.

Susan Jean "Sue" Woodstra is an American retired volleyball coach and player. As a player, she won a silver medal with the United States women's national volleyball team at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Michael Robert Hebert was an American volleyball coach. He is considered to be one of the "architects" of modern high-competitive professional volleyball. Hebert coached the Pittsburgh (1976–1979) men and women teams, New Mexico (1980–1982) women's team, Illinois (1983–1995) women's team, and Minnesota (1996–2010) women's team before announcing his retirement at the conclusion of the 2010 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers women's volleyball</span> American college volleyball team

Pittsburgh Panthers women's volleyball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate volleyball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt volleyball team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays their home games in Fitzgerald Field House. Since the founding of the volleyball program in 1974, the Panthers have had a winning season all but four years, have one of the nation's top all-time winning percentages, have appearanced in 22 national championship tournaments, and have won conference championships in 16 different seasons including eleven as a member of the Big East Conference and five since joining the ACC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer</span> American college soccer team

Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's soccer team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's soccer competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays their home games at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the university's Petersen Sports Complex. Pitt soccer players have had eight selections as All-Americans and multiple former Panthers have gone on to play professionally. The Panthers have appeared in seven NCAA tournaments and have reached the College Cup twice. The Panthers have been coached by Jay Vidovich since 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–13 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2012–13 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh, widely known as "Pitt", in the 2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Panthers' head coach was Jamie Dixon, in his 10th year as head coach and 14th overall at Pitt. The team played its home games in the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh and was in its final season as a member of the Big East Conference. Pitt played in the ACC the following season. They finished the conference season with 12–6 in the Big East Conference, which they placed 4th. In the postseason, they lost to Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Big East men's basketball tournament and lost in the first round of 2013 NCAA tournament to Wichita State to conclude the season with an overall record of 24–9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers softball</span> College softball team

Pittsburgh Panthers softball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate softball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt softball team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and plays their home games at Vartabedian Field in the Petersen Sports Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2016–17 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played its home games at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers were led by first-year head coach Kevin Stallings as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 16–17, 4–14 in ACC play to finish in a tie for 13th place. Pitt had their first losing season in 17 years. They defeated Georgia Tech in the first round of the ACC tournament to advance to the second round where they lost to Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers women's soccer</span> American college soccer team

The Pittsburgh Panthers women's soccer team represent the University of Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I women's college soccer. The team has never won a conference championship. The Panthers have played in both the ACC and Big East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2017–18 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Panthers were led by second-year head coach Kevin Stallings and played their home games at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2017–18 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team represents Pittsburgh University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Panthers, led by fifth year head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio, play their home games at the Petersen Events Center and were members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 10–20, 2–14 in ACC play to finish in a tie for thirteenth place. They lost in the first round of the ACC women's tournament to Wake Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer team</span> American college soccer season

The 2020 Pittsburgh Panthers men's soccer team represents University of Pittsburgh during the 2020 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. The Panthers are led by head coach Jay Vidovich, in his fifth season. They play home games at Ambrose Urbanic Field. This is the team's 67th season playing organized men's college soccer and their 8th playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2020–21 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team represented The University of Pittsburgh during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Panthers, were led by third year head coach Lance White, and played their home games at the Petersen Events Center as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Pittsburgh Panthers women's soccer team</span> American college soccer season

The 2020 Pittsburgh Panthers women's soccer team represented University of Pittsburgh during the 2020 NCAA Division I women's soccer season. The Panthers are led by head coach Randy Waldrum, in his third season. They play home games at Ambrose Urbanic Field. This is the team's 25th season playing organized men's college soccer and their 8th playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Pittsburgh Panthers women's soccer team</span> American college soccer season

The 2022 Pittsburgh Panthers women's soccer team represented University of Pittsburgh during the 2022 NCAA Division I women's soccer season. The Panthers were led by head coach Randy Waldrum, in his fifth season. They played home games at Ambrose Urbanic Field. This was the team's 27th season playing organized women's college soccer and their 10th playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2022–23 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team represented The University of Pittsburgh during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Panthers were led by fifth year head coach Lance White, and played their home games at the Petersen Events Center as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

References

  1. "Dan Fisher AVP profile".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dan Fisher - Pitt Profile".
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Steely Dan: Fisher's winning ways lead him to Pitt".
  4. "Pitt volleyball coach Dan Fisher finds right mix, crafts big-time winner".
  5. "No. 3 Pitt Volleyball Season Ends in First Final Four".
  6. "Pitt Volleyball is Final Four Bound!!".