Pickard chosen as next UAlbany Head Coach

ALBANY, N.Y. >> University at Albany Director of Athletics Mark Benson has announced the hiring of Josh Pickard as the fifth head coach of the Great Danes volleyball program.

Pickard will take over as the head coach of the program after serving the last three seasons as the Great Danes defensive coordinator and associate head coach.

“We are excited to name Josh Pickard as our new head women’s volleyball coach,” said Benson. “Josh has a great background having played at Michigan State, in addition to his eight years in coaching.

He has been a valuable member of our department and did a wonderful job in the interview process. We are confident Josh will have our volleyball program competing for America East Championships.”

Pickard first joined the UAlbany staff in 2015 as the assistant coach and head recruiter for the volleyball team. In 2016, Pickard was promoted to associate head coach and took over as the team’s defensive coordinator.

“I want to thank President Rodriguez, Athletic Director Benson, and the search committee for this opportunity,” said Pickard. “Great Dane volleyball has an excellent winning tradition and it is my intent to grow that daily. I have had great support from my wife, the team, and the 2019 class through this process and now it’s time to continue to grow the program. We have an excellent group of women on this team and we are going to work extremely hard to bring more hardware back to the University at Albany.”

Since arriving in the capital region, Pickard has helped guide the Great Danes to an impressive 40-8 league record and led the team to three America East Championship appearances.

Pickard mentored 16 America East All-Conference players, while working with three-time America East Defensive Player of the Year Nicole Otero (2015, 2016 & 2017). Under his watch, two Great Danes have garnered America East Rookie of the Year honors in Tatiana Tiangco (2017) and Andersen Vaughan (2018).

Pickard came to UAlbany after three years as an assistant coach at Montana State. Prior to working with the Bobcats, Pickard spent the 2011 season as an assistant at Ohio University.

Before moving into collegiate volleyball, Pickard served as a travel coordinator and national team coach at the Premier Volleyball Academy in Ohio from January 2007 to August 2011.

Pickard graduated from Michigan State in 2002 with a B.A. in international relations. He was a member of the Spartan’s men’s volleyball team.

He currently resides in New York with his wife, Melissa.