Ryan Mather has been appointed as Long Island University's Head Men's Volleyball Coach, succeeding his role as an assistant coach. He aims to build on the men's program's recent successes, which include back-to-back NEC Tournament appearances and a second-place finish in 2025. Tony Trifonov has been elevated to Director of Volleyball, overseeing both the men's and women's programs, while continuing as the head coach of the women's team.

By the Numbers
  • During Mather's assistant tenure, five players achieved first-team all-conference status, including two NEC major award winners.
  • Trifonov's women's team secured a 20-9 overall record and a 15-1 conference record last season, culminating in a conference championship.
State of Play
  • Mather is enthusiastic about leading the men's program, aiming to establish a strong competitive culture.
  • Trifonov's experience includes 27 seasons as a Division I head coach, with 21 regular-season titles and significant accolades.
What's Next

As Mather begins his tenure, he is expected to leverage Trifonov's experience while establishing his coaching identity, focusing on recruiting and player development to enhance the men's team's performance.

Bottom Line

Mather's promotion reflects LIU鈥檚 commitment to advancing its volleyball programs, while Trifonov鈥檚 dual oversight may create synergistic improvements across both teams as they seek further championship success.