EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Former University of Evansville assistant volleyball coach Manolo Concepcion has been named the head volleyball coach at Western Carolina. Concepcion becomes the eighth head coach in the program’s history.

“It was a hard decision for me to leave Evansville,” said Concepcion. “This will be a new challenge in my life and an opportunity I couldn’t let go. I want to thank John Stanley and the administration for giving me the opportunity to come to Evansville. I would also like to thank Coach Swan for his knowledge and support and the girls for always giving their best and having a willingness to learn. I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated my time at UE.”

Concepcion came to UE in 2008 and helped the Aces to a sixth place finish and a return to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. He was also instrumental in two of the Aces’ big wins over Northern Iowa and Missouri State. The win over Northern Iowa was the first in UE history while the win over Missouri State was just the second for the Aces.

“We are really happy that Manolo has gotten this opportunity to lead the WCU program,” said UE head coach Mike Swan.  “He was a great addition to our staff this past season. He loves being in the gym working with athletes. I know the young women he is inheriting at WCU will appreciate his enthusiasm and dedication.”

Before coming to UE, Concepcion was the head coach at Colby Community College, a NJCAA Division I school in Kansas. At just 25 years of age, he was the youngest head coach in the history of the Kansas Jayhawk Conference.

Before his coaching career, Concepcion played college volleyball at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez before transferring to Concordia College in New York. In 2002, he was drafted by the San Sebastian Caribes of the Puerto Rico Professional Superior League.

Concepcion’s extensive coaching career began when he founded the Island’s Best Volleyball Club in Puerto Rico at the age of 21 and soon after became its president. In 2004, he became the assistant coach for the men’s volleyball team at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez before being named the head coach of the semi-professional team Vega Baja in the Puerto Rican League at the age of 22.

Concepcion received his Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational management and leadership from Ashford University in San Diego, California. Concepcion is certified in all three national coaching levels given by the Volleyball Federation of Puerto Rico and completed the international coaching certification given by the International Volleyball Federation which allows him to coach in any part of the world.