by Chrissy Zehrbach
Sports Editor
Don Flora, women’s volleyball head coach, announced this week that he has taken an assistant coaching position at the University of Washington.
“It’s a great place and we’ve done fabulous things,” Flora said of his 11 years at ULV. “But it’s a good time to move on and try a different coaching opportunity.”
Not only will ULV be losing a volleyball coach, but in this move, Flora’s wife, Jeanne Flora, associate professor of speech communication, has also accepted a position in the communications department at the University of Washington.
“She’s an outstanding faculty member, it would be a real loss for the University,” said Fred Yaffe, dean of the college of arts and sciences.
After six seasons as head coach, Flora leaves the Leopards with a 131-33 record. In that time he led the team to four consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, two Final Four appearances and the Division III National Championship in 2001. He was named Division III Coach of the Year in 2001 by Volleyball Magazine.
“It’s super hard to leave the current players and this program,” Flora said. “We have established ourselves as the best program in the West Region and possibly the best in the nation. It’s hard to leave something I’ve put my heart and soul into.”
Under Flora’s guidance, two players were named national players of the year, four were named conference player of the year and numerous have been named All-Conference. The Leopards also hold the SCIAC record for consecutive conference wins, which currently stands at 36.
“He has built upon the tradition and success of the past and has taken this program to a new level.” said athletic director Chris Ragsdale. “It’s a great opportunity for Don to take this new step in his coaching career at an outstanding Division I program.”
Assistant coach Randi Smart has assumed the position of interim head coach, taking over practices and recruiting. Smart served as Flora’s second in command for six years.
A former player herself, the Glendora native played two years at Utah State before transferring to Louisiana State to complete her eligibility.
“Randi is very ready to be one of the best head coaches in the country,” Flora said. “She has all of the skills to continue the rich tradition that the La Verne program has established.”
