NEW YORK —Patric Santiago has been named the Head Coach of Women's Volleyball at Columbia University, Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling announced today. Santiago comes to New York after spending the past three seasons as the Associate Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Duke University.
 
"We are excited to welcome Patric to Columbia to be our new head women's volleyball coach," said Pilling.  "His 13 years of sustained success at the collegiate level, shows a commitment to achieving success and building a positive team culture. His vision for the program includes having student-athletes that are hard-working, balanced academically and athletically, and fundamentally sound in their skill development."
 
Adds Pilling, "At Columbia, we aim to compete for championships and provide an outstanding student-athlete experience. Patric fits into that vision."
 
At Duke from 2019 to 2022, Santiago was the associate head coach for the Blue Devils, aiding in all aspects of student-athlete development, practice planning, scouting, game analysis and recruiting. Under his tutelage, four student-athletes earned All-ACC honors, three were named AVCA East Coast All-Region and Mackenzie Cole was awarded the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season.
 
He was also key to helping Duke earned the No. 16 ranked 2022 Recruiting Class and during his time at Duke, the Blue Devil's RPI rose from 137 to 62 following the 2021 season.  His students were also strong in the classroom, where he oversaw nine ACC All-Academic honorees and three consecutive AVCA Team Academic Awards.
 
"I would like to thank Peter Pilling and the members of the search committee for this exceptional opportunity. It was evident immediately that Columbia is a special place where the doubled magic of academics and athletics shapes the lives of truly extraordinary student-athletes," says Santiago. 
 
"Columbia University and Barnard College provide elite educational experiences that are unlike anything anywhere else in the country. The opportunity to help shape a championship culture with this program, while representing both Universities, is a dream come true," adds Santiago. "I look forward to providing the marvelous young women on our team with an experience befitting Columbia and Barnard's excellence.
 
Santiago joined Duke after serving three years as Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Iona College from 2016-19.  In 2018, Santiago led the Gaels to a program record 20 win season and the second Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship in program history, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I am beyond excited to continue my coaching journey, which has only been possible with the incredible support of so many, and to use the platform of volleyball to help shape lives at Columbia," added Santiago.  "I would also like to thank Duke University, Coach Jolene Nagel, AD Nina King, Mitch Moser, and all the student athletes I have worked with for a wonderful and life changing experience."
 
Before coaching at Iona, Santiago served as the head coach at his alma mater, SUNY Farmingdale for seven seasons (2009-16). He helped lead the Rams to a 39-25 Skyline Conference record, earning six consecutive postseason appearances.
 
Along with his experiences coaching, Santiago also has spent administrative time with the NCAA, serving as the NCAA committee representative for the Penn State Regional during the 2017 NCAA Tournament.  He has also run several camps and spent six years from 2010-16 as a professional beach volleyball player.
 
Santiago graduated from Farmingdale State with a bachelor's degree in business management. A student-athlete, he competed for the Rams as a four-sport athlete, excelling in soccer, golf, indoor and outdoor track. He is the only student-athlete to ever compete in four sports in school history and was the captain of all four sports during his career.
 
THE PATRIC SANTIAGO FILE
 
Date announced as Columbia Head Coach: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
 
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Management of Technology, Farmingdale State College, 2006
 
Coaching Career
Head Volleyball Coach, Columbia University, 2022-Present
Associate Head Volleyball Coach, Duke University, 2019-21
Head Women's Volleyball Coach, Iona College, 2016-19
Head Volleyball Coach, Farmingdale State College, 2009-16
 
Coaching Accomplishments
Coached the 2021 ACC Defensive Player of the Year … Saw four student-athletes earn All-ACC Honors … Named the 2018 MAAC Coach of the Year … Won the 2018 MAAC Conference Championship at Iona … Coached Iona to the most conference wins in program history … Helped put together two nationally ranked recruiting classes at Duke.
 
Playing Career
Played four years at Farmingdale State College (2002-06) … Named the 2006 EACA Division III Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year … 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American … Played four sports at Farmingdale … Spent six years as a professional beach volleyball player … 2015 AVP Main Draw athlete.
 
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