UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball has changes to their coaching staff, Head Coach Rick McLaughlin has announced today. For this upcoming season, Randy DeWeese will be joining the staff as an assistant coach while Jonah Seif steps into a part-time coaching role with the program.
“I’m excited to have Randy back in the gym,” McLaughlin said. “He’s one of the best Gaucho players and leaders ever. He’s had great international and professional experience the past few years, and he will be an outstanding teacher, coach and role model for our guys.”
DeWeese is returning to Santa Barbara after playing professionally since graduating in 2021. He played one season in Greece before spending two seasons in Germany, growing his volleyball knowledge on an international and professional scale. During his career as a Gaucho, DeWeese was a two-time AVCA All-American while being a major contributor on UC Santa Barbara’s run to the NCAA Semifinal match his senior season.
“I am super excited to be a part of the Gaucho community again,” DeWeese said. “I really appreciate working with Rick; I think he is the best mentor and coach in the country. This opportunity to work with him and the Gaucho administration is an amazing opportunity. I am excited to get started.”
As mentioned above, DeWeese will become an assistant for the program as Seif steps down to take a role outside of men’s volleyball. Seif, who was named to the AVCA’s 30 Under 30 list last season, will still work with the team on a part-time basis.
“I am very happy for Jonah and the incredible job opportunity he has earned. Jonah is one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with. He’s very much responsible for so much of our program’s success the past three to four years. He is absolutely ready right now to be a top Division 1 Head Coach, and although we will miss him being in our gym every day, we are very lucky that his new job allows time for him to still work with our program on a part time basis. He will stay on as our third assistant.”
Along with those changes, Blaine Nielsen has also been elevated to associate head coach after serving as an assistant coach for the last four seasons.
“I’m very lucky,” McLaughlin said. “I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff to work with than Blaine Nieslen, Randy Deweese and Jonah Seif.”
