LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the last eight seasons Dan Meske has helped former Louisville volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly take the program to new heights, serving as associate head coach.
On Friday, UofL Director of Athletics Josh Heird officially named Meske the next head coach of Louisville Volleyball.
“I am thrilled to promote Dan Meske to the role of head coach,” said Heird. “Throughout his tenure, Dan has had several opportunities to leave UofL for other head coaching roles, but he has stayed committed to making UofL one of the elite programs in the country. I am supremely confident in his ability to lead this program into the future in the same manner he has already helped guide us to where we are today during his time as the associate head coach.”
Meske brings over 16 years of collegiate coaching experience to the table. He is the eighth coach in the program’s history.
“I am incredibly proud and humbled to be the head coach of Louisville Volleyball,” said Meske. “Anyone who follows our program knows that there is a joy and love for each other and for the game within Louisville Volleyball, and I plan to keep it that way. Go Cards!”
After originally joining the Cardinals’ coaching staff in 2017, Meske helped to bring the Cardinals into the national spotlight, capping the 2019 season off with the first regional final appearance in program history. The tournament run was highlighted by one of the largest upsets in collegiate volleyball as the Cards took down top-seeded Texas in the regional semifinal.
Before joining Louisville’s coaching staff in 2017, Meske was the head coach at Augustana and served as an assistant coach at Nebraska for eight years. In his career, Meske has helped lead his teams to four national semifinals appearances, 17 NCAA Tournaments and eight conference championships.
When Busboom Kelly announced her resignation from UofL on Wednesday, Jan. 29, it was announced Meske would replace her. Busboom Kelly has great confidence in Meske. She said, “There is no one in the country better than Dan Meske to lead Louisville Volleyball. Not only is he an amazing coach, but he is an incredible person who leads with integrity, passion and love for his players. While I’m sad I won’t be on the same sideline with Dan anymore, I want Louisville Volleyball to continue to break barriers, and Dan will work tirelessly to make sure the program succeeds.”
Former UofL All-American Anna DeBeer said, “Dan is one of the most hard-working coaches I’ve ever had and is always finding ways to improve himself every day. We would not have accomplished what we did these past few years without him. There is no one I trust more to take over this amazing program and continue the legacy Louisville volleyball is building.”
Meske and his wife Laurel have three sons: Ryne, Maddox and Hendricks.
