Greetings Eater Volleyball Fans,
As an ‘Eater volleyball alumni and avid supporter of the program who has witnessed the transformation of the program into a national champion contender under John Speraw, I have developed a deep dedication to this program as I am sure all of you have as well.
If you have not already heard, John has accepted the vacant head coach position at UCLA. I am both excited for John but at the same time saddened because he created a culture of great competitors and men in our program. With this the Athletics Administration has launched a national search for a new head coach.
The reason I am writing you is because I feel that as a volleyball community we can speak into this hiring process and finding the correct fit is crucial to continuing the winning tradition that has been formed at Irvine.
I would like to express my support for David Kniffin, former assistant coach of the UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball team from 2006-2011. Not only is David well respected for his immense knowledge of the game, but he also understands the players and their needs. He is the type of coach you could turn to when you needed anything, knowing that he would understand. David was one of the main reasons that we won our first two NCAA national championships. His ability to make the team act as one unit was the reason UC Irvine was able to continuously beat powerhouse athletic programs. He made sure that no matter what went wrong on the court, every player knew how to handle it. Not only was he a great players’ coach, he also has been an integral part of our marketing efforts to increase fan attendance and promote the sport of volleyball in general. He set up the International Volleyball Tournament that UCI has run for the past few years. This tournament is the only one of its kind in the nation. Through his connections in volleyball he was able to bring in top international professional teams to compete exclusively against our program. No other collegiate team was able to gain this crucial preseason experience. I attribute this tournament to the continued success of UC Irvine’s volleyball program. David Kniffin has touched the hearts of all of the players on the teams he has coached and has had a significant impact on the UC Irvine tradition, both as a former player and as an assistant coach. With John Speraw departing to his alma mater, it would make sense for UC Irvine to hire someone who came out of UCI so they would have deeper ties to the school.
Help support David Kniffin by sharing this page with your friends, family, teammates, and community. The committee will be reaching their final decision soon, so don’t wait. Please take a few moments and leave a comment below describing how David Kniffin has touched your life and why he would be a perfect fit for the UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball head coach position. I also would like to encourage you to show your support by writing/emailing Darrin Nelson, Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Head of MVB Hiring Committee at nelsondm@uci.edu.
I remember when we were in the middle of the season. The team was going through midterms and everyone was starting to burn out from having some of our toughest games, lots of travel and the added stress of midterms. Our team showed up to practice and was pleasantly surprised when David had planned a fun practice for us. Instead of the repetitive drills that we had been doing most of our volleyball careers, Kniffin had devised new drills using the premise of other sports. We were able to enjoy the practice but still train skills in a way that was able to help us pull off a few upsets that week and climb to the top of the rankings that year. I will never forget how Kniffin helped shape me into the man I am today. He was more than just a coach, he was a role model. I will always be thankful to have had the experiences I had with Kniffin on the coaching staff.
Kevin Wynne
UCI Middle Blocker 2006-2011
National Champion 2007 & 2009
A few years ago I was a freshman at UCI who wanted to become involved in the culture of a winning college program so I convinced a few of my friends to come with me to a men’s volleyball game. I knew next to nothing about volleyball, but I had heard we had a very good team. The atmosphere was great that night (there must have been 2-3 thousand people in the stands) and we were all screaming our heads off.
After that first game, my small group of dorm friends decided to become fans of UCI volleyball. Only a few games later, then assistant coach David Kniffin, came into the stands and introduced himself. He thanked us for our support and talked to us like we were part of the team, like we were part of the success. What really stood out to me is that we weren’t important people or boosters and there wasn’t anything for him to gain by talking to us.
Even though the gesture was relatively minor, it was an incredibly cool thing to do. I have since graduated from UCI and I will undoubtedly be a lifelong UCI volleyball fan and future season ticket holder in large part because of David Kniffin.
Heard about this site through my facebook news feed. Thought I would stop by and show my support as well. My children attended a camp that was run by David a few years ago. They could not stop raving about how much they loved him. He made me feel safe when I handed them over for the day. He is a natural around kids. Would love to see him get the job.
The relationship that I created with Assistant Coach David Kniffin during my tenure at the UCI Men’s Volleyball program has helped mold the person that I am today. Not only does he understand and posses the ability to teach the fundamentals and tactics of volleyball at the highest level, his knowledge of the mental side is second only to Speraw. As a senior of the ’09 NC team, Kniffin and I spoke regularly about what my role as a leader on this team would be. He noticed that my best skill was the ability to keep cool in every kind of environment. He taught me how to implement this tool to the team’s success, particularly with our star player. His guidance worked and paid off big time. This was just one case of his influence from that season, there were many many more. He is the right choice for this job.
David Kniffin for UCI Men’s Volleyball
Taylor Wilson
NCAA Div 1 Champ ’07, ’09 (both under Assistant Coach David Kniffin)
I’m not the most distinguished player in UCI history. In fact, I think I’ve lost every record I had on the books. However, I was on the first #1 ranked team in UCI’s history. Our setter was David Kniffen. It’s clear that reading what other players have to say about him now as a coach means that he hasn’t changed in character over the years. I can’t imagine anyone who would represent UCI better than Dave. Sometimes the best decision is the one the group makes for you. Would love to see him as the head coach.
David Kniffin was an influence to potentially a couple of US olympians competing in London. He’s played and coached with this championship culture. He’s right for the job.
While I don’t have some of the records and accolades that many of the people above me possess, I have had the pleasure of knowing Coach Kniffin in a variety of roles. I have known him while I was a club player, a recruit, a redshirt, a starter, a benchwarmer, as a national champion, and as a fan. It didn’t matter what role I played, he would always do anything he could to help.
There were mornings when he would wake up well before 6 am to open the gym up for people who wanted extra reps. Plenty of coaches might do that for their star players but how many coaches do you know who would do it so that a redshirting freshman who was 5th (last) on the depth chart could get a few extra touches? The only one I know of is David Kniffin.
Coach Kniffin’s volleyball resume is extraordinary but I don’t think that is why he should get the job. It is his character and his deep dedication to each member of the UCI Volleyball family that sets him apart from the pack.
Coach Kniffin is the right man for the job.
-Ian Wynne
UCI Alumnus
NCAA D1 Champion ’09
David Kniffin is the definition of what the UC Irvine Mens Volleyball Coach should be. UCI Mens Volleyball stands for Family, Effort, Respect, and Responsibility. David has not only been a crucial variable to the programs success on the court, but also a leader by example of the off-court values and ethics that translate to success on the court. Many people rightly give credit to John Speraw for the programs success, but fail to see the profound influence that Kniffin had on Speraw’s execution of program goals and values. Who is the unwavering answer to the daunting question of: Who will lead UCI to future success? David Kniffin.
This seems like a no-brainer to me. Kniffin played an extremely significant role in pioneering the family culture and winning tradition that is your current UCI program. A program that I am most proud to be a part of and will always hold a special place in my heart. If he is not offered the position, I, along with many others will be very disappointed. David Kniffin IS the right person for the Head coaching position.
Paul Spittle – UCI 03′ – 06′
Nick Spittle – UCI 05′ – 09′
Anthony Spittle – UCI 07′ – 11′
Dave Kniffin is the reason I had an opportunity to play in Europe for 3 seasons. His knowledge of the game and his connections internationally are beneficial to many players.
I was a part of the Anteater program for only a year (’03-’04 season) and that year was the year after Coach Kniffin’s senior season, but he was still on campus because he wanted to finish up his education at UCI. He could have jumped overseas and began his professional career early, but he decided to wait, because he valued his education.
Back then, he wasn’t Coach Kniffin yet, just Kniffin, but he was a friend who would try to help you out anyway he could. After my lone season, I was disappointed to leave UCI because I did not have the funds to afford my out-of-state tuition. After breaking the news to everyone, I started talking with Kniffin about my situation. We discussed all the possibilities that await me, and cheered me up a little bit and made me hopeful for the future.
Years later, I decided to try out for Pro Ball over in Europe. Coach Kniffin led a group of us into Madrid to tryout in front of many different European coaches. He always knew what to say and how to say it. As our time in Madrid wound to a close, I began to get discouraged that I was not offered an official tryout at a team’s practice. On the second to the last day in Madrid, Kniffin called me aside and had a piece of paper in his hand. He handed me the piece of paper and told me a team in Slovenia was looking for a middle, and noted that the level of play was very high. He paused for a moment and then said: “Get ready to play the best volleyball you’ve ever had in your life.” And he said that to me, not in a way that assured me that I would make the team, but in a way that implored me to go to this tryout and give it everything I’ve got. He got me fired up. And for two days before my tryout, my adrenaline was pumping and my mind was focused, and I proceeded to play the best volleyball I’ve ever played.
So what are you looking for in a Coach, UCI? Are you looking for someone who has the right values and priorities? Are you looking for a person who will be there for his players through the thick and the thin? Are you looking for someone who knows how to teach the physical aspects AND motivate individuals to play at their highest level? I don’t know for sure what you are looking for, but I do know that Coach Kniffin has affected my life in a big way, in only the short time I’ve known him.
I’m writing this from my phone so I apologize for not using large words and sounding cool and I believe that’s fitting for Kniff. He will give it to you straight and doesn’t jazz up the situation because he knows how to get his message across with blatant honesty. After winning a national championship my freshmen year in 09 and losing key seniors that were the pillars and brothers I leaned on for support I was nothing short of lost. Without individual meetings and life lessons that he instilled in me, it’s likely I would have left UC irvine early to play overseas and never worry about graduating. I will be forever in his debt for the guidance he happily has given me. We spoke often throughout this last championship season and I cannot even comprehend how important this was for myself. I care about this program just like everyone else here and we all know that with kniffs coaching ability, game planning, and understanding of what it is to be a great human being, makes him the perfect candidate. I wish I had another year so I could be coached by him one last time and fully appreciate what he is capable of.
Carson Clark
It’s tough to articulate new insight that has not already been covered but a post to show my support is the least I could do. Kniff takes coaching beyond the volleyball sphere and into core human development, mostly by example. Arguably more important are his creative training techniques that allow players to understand a variety of perceptions to the game. Finally, Kniff gives visual, verbal and tactile feedback embodying a genuinely true understanding of the game.
Coach Kniffin would undoubtedly continue UCI MVB legacy and most likely build upon it for the better.
-UCI MVB Alumni
I have been involved at UCI, first as a player in the early years and now as a booster. I have had the pleasure of interacting with Knif ever since he came to UCI. I have enjoyed his enthusiasm, his positive attitude and most importantly the fact that he is a quality person who would make a great UCI head coach. I want to offer the strongest of endorsements for Knif to the search committee.
Kniff was so much more than a volleyball coach. He had an incredible ability to instill the culture that makes UCI volleyball so unique. Not only a phenomenal leader, he was also so good at identifying with everyone on the team, understanding their needs and perspectives, and appreciating/enhancing the diversity they brought to the team. He is like no other coach, or person out there- I think this is a big reason why UCI has blossomed into a program unlike any other program in college volleyball. I just couldn’t imagine a better coach to take over the program and continue the tradition and culture that has earned 3 titles in the last six years. But were not satisfied, and neither is Kniff.
Will Montgomery
UCI Volleyball 2009-2012
I am so excited that someone came up with the idea for this website and campaign for David Kniffin because I thought he was the perfect match for UCI. I am an alum (’93) and have worked at UCI for over 20 years. I’ve always loved volleyball and been a big fan and season ticket holder for several years now. Coach Speraw, Kniffin, and Presho have done an awesome job bringing competitive volleyball to UCI. I am no expert but it looks to me that David is at a point in his career very similar to John Speraw’s when he came to UCI – his experience working under a Head Coach with great ability and titles, a team motivator and someone players really respect and look up to, and with potential for great things to come. He’s an alum and would be right at home plus having worked under Speraw would create a friendly rivalry with John and UCLA. DAVID KNIFFIN FOR HEAD COACH OF UCI MEN’S VOLLEYBALL!!!!
I had the pleasure to start my career the same time Kniffin started his coaching career at UCI. With a team full of all-americans, being ranked number one, and a solid recruiting class, Kniffin managed to make time for everyone on the roster, top to bottom. He cared about volleyball, but more importantly he cared about the pillars of our program, which went beyond volleyball. It wasn’t all about winning for him, it was deeper. He brought a breath of fresh air when we were stuck in the grind.
I had one on one talks with Kniffin, which i still look back on for inspiration. His words stuck with me and pushed me through adversity and they continue to help through situations. He is UCI volleyball, and if UCI wants to continue the legacy i bought into as a freshman then he is the only choice. It won’t be the same for me, or any other alumni going back to support if it is anyone else. I support David Kniffin for UCI men’s volleyball head coach.
UCI 2007-11 (All under Assistant David Kniffin)
Division 1 Champ 07, 09 (Under Assistant David Kniffin)
Having a genuine Anteater at the helm is something I would love to see again.
I coached a kids’ volleyball program and Kniff came down one day with some players and gave the kids an inspirational demo at really got them fired up.
My lifetime ticket purchases to UCI volleyball games are probably second only to Dave Tomchek’s, so my vote should count! Kniffin for coach.
Congrats to David Kniffin! New Men’s Volleyball Coach at UC Irvine. Thank you to everyone for your amazing support and efforts.