Feb. 9, 2011

Texas A&M International University Athletics Director Dr. Leonard Nardone announced today that Carlos Chia has been selected as the school's next head volleyball coach. The veteran coach is a proven winner who previously achieved a highly-successful run at Northern Kentucky University.

Chia began his college coaching career as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Northern Kentucky in 1994. NKU advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 1999 with Chia on board as an assistant. He took over as head coach in 2000 and led the Norse to a 224-91 overall record in nine-plus seasons with NCAA Tournament appearances in 2001, 03, 07 and 08.

Chia led Northern Kentucky to one Great Lakes Valley Conference title and he was twice selected as GLVC Coach of the Year. A total of 13 student-athletes earned AVCA All-American honors under Chia's tutelage at NKU with five earning CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. He also mentored four conference players of the year.

Prior to his stint at NKU, Chia was head coach for two seasons at Thomas More College. He is a life-long volleyball enthusiast, dating back to his days as a member of the National Team in his native Peru in the early 1970s.

Nardone says he is thrilled to have Chia take over the Dustdevil volleyball program.

"Carlos is a proven winner and I am confident that he has what it takes to build a winner here at TAMIU," Nardone said.

"It's never easy to take over a program that is down but Carlos certainly knows what it takes to win. He is excited about the challenge and we are excited about giving him the opportunity to do what he does best."