David Nguyen has been appointed as the new head volleyball coach at the University of North Dakota (UND), following a successful tenure at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). Nguyen, who became the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I history at the age of 25, has a proven track record of transforming struggling programs into competitive teams.
During his four years at FDU, Nguyen led the Knights to a remarkable record of 43-15 in the Northeast Conference (NEC). This turnaround was particularly impressive given that the program had previously endured a challenging six-season stretch, culminating in a 10-70 record. Jason Young, FDU’s deputy athletic director, praised Nguyen’s impact, noting, “In Year 1, he takes us to the NCAA tournament. In Years 2 and 3, we’re in the championship game. It was just an incredible four-year run.”
Nguyen’s leadership style is characterized by a calm and composed demeanor, earning him the nickname “silent assassin.” According to Young, “He’s very calm, cool and collected. His players carry it through in how they play volleyball. They’re steady throughout.” This ability to instill a winning culture will be crucial as he takes on the challenge of revitalizing the Fighting Hawks, who have not enjoyed a winning season since reaching the NCAA tournament in 2017.
The Summit League has proven to be a tough competition for UND, particularly since its membership in 2018, as the team has yet to win a match in the league tournament. Young believes Nguyen is more than capable of meeting the demands of this challenge. “I think it’s one of the biggest turnarounds in Division I,” he said. “He’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone in that conference.”
Nguyen is expected to make a significant impact not just on the court, but also in the local volleyball community. Young emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, “He’ll know how to make sure camps and clinics are getting done and kids get connected to the program. It will be pretty special.”
As Nguyen prepares for his new role, the FDU community reflects on his achievements with pride. Young expressed his gratitude for Nguyen’s contributions, stating, “Fairleigh Dickinson is happy for Nguyen’s new opportunity and happy that he put FDU volleyball back on the map.” He added, “I think he’s going to do great things.”
A press conference to formally introduce Nguyen at UND will be scheduled in the near future, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both him and the Fighting Hawks volleyball program.
