JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman director of athletics Allen Morgan has announced Dan Ahiers as the Eagle volleyball program's seventh head coach. 

Ahiers will be introduced to the Carson-Newman community during a news conference Monday afternoon at 1 in the Eagle Club Room at Burke-Tarr Stadium. 

"We're thrilled to have Dan join our family," Morgan said. "He brings a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm to the program and a high commitment to excellence. He will hold our program to the highest of standards."

Ahiers comes to Mossy Creek from Seattle University where he spent a year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.  He helped the Redhawks place two players on the WAC All-Freshman and All-Conference teams while another – Iris Ivanis – earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors.

Prior to Seattle, Ahiers spent three years at the University of California Santa Barbara coaching under the legendary Kathy Gregory.  In her 38 seasons as the first head coach in UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball history, "The Queen" amassed the fifth-most wins in Division I history with a career record of 882-412 (.682), guided the Gauchos to 27 NCAA Championships, and saw her teams finished ranked among the nation's top-25 on 27 occasions.

"The thing that impressed me the most was his enthusiasm and his ability to relate to the players and their parents," Morgan said. "He comes from a great pedigree at UC Santa Barbara and has learned from one of the best in Kathy Gregory."

While at UC Santa Barbara, Ahiers helped produce five All-Americans and 10 all-conference selections in his three years with the Gauchos.  As recruiting coordinator, he put together a pair of classes that were recognized as being top 30 in the nation. 

Dan is married to Holli Ahiers (formerly Fisher). 

-CN-