Northwestern volleyball head coach Shane Davis announced the hiring of Amir Lugo-Rodriguez as an assistant coach in November of 2020. Lugo-Rodriguez joins the Wildcats staff after serving as an assistant coach at Cal for two seasons.
"We are thrilled to welcome Amir to our Northwestern volleyball family," said Davis. "Amir has demonstrated an outstanding impact and commitment to improvement at every step of his career–both as a competitor and as a coach. His experience playing for national championships at Long Beach State and representing our country with USA Volleyball provides a distinctive perspective as he has transitioned into collegiate coaching. We are fortunate to add Amir's wealth of knowledge to our staff as we begin our 2021 season, he is a great fit for our program and his insights will be invaluable to our pursuit of competing at the highest level."
In 2019, with Lugo-Rodriguez's assistance, the Bears went 20-10, their first 20-win season since 2011. During the campaign, he mentored Preslie Anderson, the PAC-12 hitting percentage leader (.402) as well as three additional Bears who earned All-Pac 12 honors that season.
"I'd like to thank Dr. Phillips and Shane for the opportunity to be part of a great program and institution," said Lugo-Rodriguez. "I am very excited to help this incredibly talented staff push forward with its vision of the volleyball program, while also providing a world-class student-athlete experience. Thank you to the members of the Cal volleyball staff for their unwavering support and opportunity for growth over the past few years. I also owe a huge thanks to Alan Knipe and Nick Macrae for their mentorship along the way. Northwestern is a special place and I am humbled to contribute to this great community. Go 'Cats!"
Before coaching at Cal, Lugo-Rodriguez spent time playing with the U.S. National Team Program, where he started as a middle blocker for Team USA in the 2017 World University Games. He also earned a preliminary roster spot for the 2015 Pan American Cup and played a season professionally in France's first division.
Lugo-Rodriguez served as the director of operations for the men's volleyball team for a year at his alma mater, Long Beach State. During his time in operations, the 49ers won the 2018 Big West Conference regular-season title before later going on to capture the 2018 NCAA Championship.
Prior to transitioning into collegiate volleyball, Lugo-Rodriguez spent multiple years coaching club volleyball and working as the club director assistant at San Gabriel Elite Volleyball Club.
The South Pasadena, Calif., native earned his bachelor's degree in Consumer Affairs from Long Beach State in 2017 and has a master's degree in Sports Management from LBSU. While playing for LBSU, Lugo-Rodriguez earned First-Team AVCA All-America honors as middle blocker during his senior season, in addition to Off Block National Blocker of the Year and a Second Team Volleyball Magazine All-American. He also was a three-time MPSF All-Academic selection, president of Long Beach State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and helped lead the 49ers to two straight NCAA Final Four appearances in 2016 and 2017.
"We are thrilled to welcome Amir to our Northwestern volleyball family," said Davis. "Amir has demonstrated an outstanding impact and commitment to improvement at every step of his career–both as a competitor and as a coach. His experience playing for national championships at Long Beach State and representing our country with USA Volleyball provides a distinctive perspective as he has transitioned into collegiate coaching. We are fortunate to add Amir's wealth of knowledge to our staff as we begin our 2021 season, he is a great fit for our program and his insights will be invaluable to our pursuit of competing at the highest level."
In 2019, with Lugo-Rodriguez's assistance, the Bears went 20-10, their first 20-win season since 2011. During the campaign, he mentored Preslie Anderson, the PAC-12 hitting percentage leader (.402) as well as three additional Bears who earned All-Pac 12 honors that season.
"I'd like to thank Dr. Phillips and Shane for the opportunity to be part of a great program and institution," said Lugo-Rodriguez. "I am very excited to help this incredibly talented staff push forward with its vision of the volleyball program, while also providing a world-class student-athlete experience. Thank you to the members of the Cal volleyball staff for their unwavering support and opportunity for growth over the past few years. I also owe a huge thanks to Alan Knipe and Nick Macrae for their mentorship along the way. Northwestern is a special place and I am humbled to contribute to this great community. Go 'Cats!"
Before coaching at Cal, Lugo-Rodriguez spent time playing with the U.S. National Team Program, where he started as a middle blocker for Team USA in the 2017 World University Games. He also earned a preliminary roster spot for the 2015 Pan American Cup and played a season professionally in France's first division.
Lugo-Rodriguez served as the director of operations for the men's volleyball team for a year at his alma mater, Long Beach State. During his time in operations, the 49ers won the 2018 Big West Conference regular-season title before later going on to capture the 2018 NCAA Championship.
Prior to transitioning into collegiate volleyball, Lugo-Rodriguez spent multiple years coaching club volleyball and working as the club director assistant at San Gabriel Elite Volleyball Club.
The South Pasadena, Calif., native earned his bachelor's degree in Consumer Affairs from Long Beach State in 2017 and has a master's degree in Sports Management from LBSU. While playing for LBSU, Lugo-Rodriguez earned First-Team AVCA All-America honors as middle blocker during his senior season, in addition to Off Block National Blocker of the Year and a Second Team Volleyball Magazine All-American. He also was a three-time MPSF All-Academic selection, president of Long Beach State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and helped lead the 49ers to two straight NCAA Final Four appearances in 2016 and 2017.