Mike Bryant Position: Assistant Coach

Mike Bryant became the first assistant hired by Toby Rens, the summer of 2008.

"I am very excited about Mike being a member of the Pitt volleyball staff," said Rens. "Not only is he a great teacher of the game, but he has had some phenomenal experiences at Idaho and Washington, including being a part of a program that won a national title in 2005."

Bryant joins the Pitt staff after serving two seasons (2006-07) as an assistant women's volleyball coach at Idaho. While with the Vandals, Bryant aided in the on-court training and oversaw the recruiting efforts.

In his first season at Idaho, Bryant helped guide the setters and middle blockers offensively and defensively. The Vandals would earn a first team all-conference and all-freshmen team selection in the middle and the team finished among the league leaders in blocks per game.

Prior to his stint at Idaho, Bryant served as the Program Coordinator for a season at the University of Washington, during their 2005 National Championship.

Additionally, Bryant served one season as the first assistant with NCAA Division-II Seattle University, and has volunteered with Florida State's volleyball program.

Bryant's previous coaching roles include head coach at Lawton Chiles HS (Florida), where he was named Big Bend Conference Coach of the Year (2003); Holy Names Academy (Seattle), where he led the squad to its first league and state championship appearances; and KJ Volleyball Club, where his 18-Baden team won the Pacific Northwest regional championship and a berth at the Junior Olympic championships.

While working with the women's teams, Bryant has also volunteered with the men's club programs at Washington, Florida State, and Idaho.

As a player at Foothill College (California), he earned all-conference honors as a setter, and was named region MVP while helping his team to the Pacific Northwest regional championship.

A native of Edmonds, Wash., Bryant holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Washington, a master's in sport administration from Seattle Pacific and a PhD in sport management from Florida State.