Ahen Kim will be the next head coach for the American University volleyball team, according to a press release from the athletic department.
Kim began his coaching career in D.C. serving as an assistant coach for the Catholic University of America and George Washington University before spending six years on AU’s coaching staff.
During his time at American, the Eagles won five straight Patriot League titles and had an 83-8 record in Patriot League contests. Kim helped lead AU to a Sweet Sixteen run in 2013 and a First Round win in 2015.
Kim became the head coach of the Brown University Bears in 2017 and turned the team around from a 5-19 overall record to 20-6 in 2021. Under Kim, Brown swept all four Ivy League yearly awards, becoming the second team in history to do so.
In his final season at Brown, Kim led his team to the Ivy League Championship match, where they fell to Yale.
Kim is now returning to D.C. to take over the American University volleyball team following the passing of its previous coach, and Kim’s friend and mentor, legendary coach Barry Goldberg.
“He’s a spectacular coach, consistently demonstrating his ability to lead his student-athletes to win on the court, in the community and in the classroom,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Billy Walker. “He’s a coach who is meticulous in his planning and gifted in his ability to connect with his student-athletes … he clearly learned from the best.”
Coach Kim is excited for the opportunity to return home and connect with American’s community,
“I hope to foster a program where we can continue to celebrate this storied program, and its alumni and student-athletes, for years to come,” Kim said.
This article was edited by Penelope Jennings and Abigail Pritchard. Copy editing done by Isabelle Kravis.
dhoke@theeagleonline.com
