Former USA volleyball coach became president and CEO

COLORADO SPRINGS — USA volleyball has undergone some major changes over the past month. The men’s coaching position became vacant after John Spero decided to leave the company and lead the entire organization as president and CEO.

Sperau has been involved with USA Volleyball for more than 20 years. He was an assistant during the 2008 gold medal run, became head coach in 2013 and led the team to bronze medals in 2016 and most recently the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After years of coaching at the collegiate and Olympic levels, Sperau felt it was time to do more for the game.

“You start to think bigger about the organization and how you can impact the sport and the young people who play,” Spero said. “As I get more and more experienced and a little older, I have more and more global thoughts about what we can do as an organization.”

One of Spero’s first big moves as president and CEO was replacing himself as the men’s coach, and he was able to find an internal solution. Karch Kirali transfers from the women’s team in place of Sperau.

Kiraly played for the US Men’s National Team for nine years, leading them to gold in 1984 and 1988. As the women’s national coach, he led his team to bronze in Rio, gold in Toiko and silver in Paris.

“It has been a great honor and privilege to work with the USA women’s program and team for the past 16 years, and I look forward to another complete and utter privilege and honor to work with the men’s team,” Kiraly said.

“Why Karch? It’s because he’s the best player and coach in the history of our sport,” Sperau said. “He’s the most famous player in the world and the most famous coach in the world, and most importantly, he’s a great person, a great role model and a great teacher.”

Kiraly says the change for him came at a time when he was ready for a new challenge and a new coaching opportunity. Now preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, he has already focused on the needs of the men’s team, which won bronze last summer.

“What can this men’s program do? What are the small benefits of the program? What incremental improvements can the program make to maximize the teams’ chances of winning a gold medal on home court,” Kiraly said.

With Kiraly moving to the men’s program, the search for a new women’s coach is ongoing, but Sperau says there is no rush. He hopes to have a replacement by the end of December or early January.

___

‘It was chaotic’: Former UCCS superintendent files federal complaint against school after deadly campus shooting

After a deadly shooting at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in February, a former head of school filed a federal complaint against the university, alleging the college was unprepared for the crisis.

‘It was chaotic’: Former UCCS leader files federal complaint against school after fatal shooting

____

Watch KOAA News5 anytime, anywhere with our free streaming app available for Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA5 newsdownload and start browsing.