Nick MacRae Elevated To Head Coach Of Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball
12/2/2025 9:06:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
The Associate Head Coach will become the eighth Head Coach of the legendary program.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran and former Associate Head Coach Nick MacRae have come to an agreement to promote MacRae, who will now serve as the program's Head Coach following the retirement of long-time coach Alan Knipe.
"Nick MacRae has been at the heart of our program's rise to national prominence, serving as one of the brightest coaching minds in our sport and an essential architect of the championship standard that defines Long Beach State Men's Volleyball," said Bobby Smitheran. "For more than a decade, he has shaped All-Americans, guided national players of the year, and consistently brought in the nation's top talent, all while modeling the values and competitive excellence that set the Beach apart.
"Nick's deep roots in this community, his exceptional ability to teach the game, and his proven leadership make him uniquely prepared to guide the next chapter of our storied program. This is a proud moment for the entire MacRae family including his wife Ashley and his children Reese, Nyles, and Maeve. We are thrilled to have him at the helm and look forward to his leadership of our storied program."
Knipe announced his retirement yesterday following 22 seasons in charge of the Men's Volleyball program, winning three National Championships and making nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Nick MacRae has played a huge part in that success, serving as the Associate Head Coach in all three of those titles in 2018, 2019, and 2025, as well as making eight NCAA tournament appearances in the last nine full seasons on staff.
"Nick has proven, year after year, that Long Beach State is where his heart lives," said Knipe. "He has poured 14 years of unwavering commitment and dedicated service into this program, serving in every role possible in preparation for this moment. From stat and technical coordinator to assistant coach and associate head coach, Nick helped with game plans, training plans, recruited elite talent, mentored young men, developed champions, and helped shape our culture from the inside out. He didn't just prepare to lead this program, he lived the preparation. As a proud alumnus, Nick brings deep love, pride, passion, and grit for what Long Beach State Men's Volleyball represents. He understands the standard, the details, and the responsibility that comes with wearing and leading the logo. He is exceptionally well-prepared to take the reins, and he has my full support.
"I have tremendous respect for Nick, not only as a coach, but as a mentor to our players and as a colleague who consistently pushes others toward their best. I know he will do great. He carries the full support of our alumni, our fans, and the entire Long Beach Nation. I look forward to the impact he will make and the success that lies ahead for this program. To Nick, to Ashley, and to your beautiful family, nothing but success lies ahead. Your journey is just beginning, and the Knipe family is excited to watch the legacy you will continue to build for the next generation of champions."
MacRae is a rising star in volleyball coaching, having twice been named the National Assistant Coach of the Year in addition to a 30 under 30 selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). In his time at the Beach, MacRae has helped guide LBSU to eight NCAA Final Four appearances and three National Championships. He has also mentored 47 All-Americans, including four National Players of the Year, as well as 52 All-Conference selections.
"It is my honor to take over as head coach of the greatest program in the country," said MacRae. "I'd first like to thank Alan Knipe. I was 17 when Alan first brought me into this program, and I have been with him ever since I graduated from Long Beach State which has now been 13 seasons. Together, we have recruited and celebrated so much of this volleyball family side-by-side through three national championships, five NCAA championship appearances, and eight trips to the NCAA Final Four. Alan has been an incredible mentor to me, and he has prepared me every step of the way for this exact moment.
"To our LB Legends, I look forward to celebrating each and every one of you. The work that you put into our program is why our team graciously gets to stand tall in an amazing place today.
"My philosophy is simple. People and connections come first, and we will maintain our standards and discipline at the same high level as non-negotiables in this program. We will continue to compete with LB Grit on and off the court. My job as the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball head coach is to unite these young men, elevate them, and help them unlock their potential as future leaders, champions, husbands, fathers, and amazing men in our community. I want to extend my gratitude to Bobby Smitheran for this opportunity, and I'm beyond excited to continue working with our coaching staff and support staff that we have in place to maintain a legacy of sustainable success here at Long Beach State."
MacRae's primary responsibilities on the staff as the Associate Head Coach were working with the setters and the offense. On the way to a 2025 National Championship, the third during his tenure, MacRae played a key role working with and recruiting AVCA National Player of the Year and worldwide phenomenon, Moni Nikolov. A unique player, Nikolov set an NCAA record with 106 aces during the 2025 season as a true freshman, averaging nearly three points per set while making 173 kills, 1,109 assists and 81 total blocks on the year.
Long Beach State hit .398, leading the nation in attack percentage on the way to a dominant 30-3 overall record during the 2025 championship run.
Over his career at LBSU, Nikolov was the fourth All-American setter under his tutelage, joining Aidan Knipe, 2018 AVCA National Player of the Year Josh Tuaniga, and Carlos Rivera.
In his career, he has brought in two No. 1 recruiting classes, and seven Top 5 recruiting classes.
MacRae was instrumental in helping Long Beach State capture its second-straight NCAA National Championship in 2019. With MacRae on the bench, the Beach went 28-2 and notched the program's first-ever undefeated conference season with a 10-0 record. LBSU turned in another perfect record at home extending the team's home winning streak to a program-record 43-straight victories at the Walter Pyramid.
The 2019 season saw the Beach win the Big West Regular Season Championship in a five-set win over No. 1 Hawaii before boasting four AVCA All-Americans, including AVCA National Player of the Year TJ DeFalco. Under MacRae's tutelage, Long Beach State also garnered five Big West All-Conference selections, highlighted by Kyle Ensing's Player of the Year honor.
MacRae was named the head coach of the 2020-21 Boys Youth National Team. He previously served as the 2018-19 USA Youth National Team assistant coach.
The 2018 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year was a key component in helping the Beach capture the program's second National Championship in a historic season that saw the team win a program-record 24 consecutive contests. With MacRae's guidance, Long Beach State went 28-1 and rolled through conference action claiming the Big West Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships.
MacRae played an essential role in Long Beach State's success as the Beach made their third-straight NCAA appearance in 2018. He helped lead the Beach to a 9-1 Big West Conference mark and a perfect 12-0 record inside the Walter Pyramid. Long Beach State finished the season as National Champions and saw five players earn All-America honors.
"Nick MacRae has been at the heart of our program's rise to national prominence, serving as one of the brightest coaching minds in our sport and an essential architect of the championship standard that defines Long Beach State Men's Volleyball," said Bobby Smitheran. "For more than a decade, he has shaped All-Americans, guided national players of the year, and consistently brought in the nation's top talent, all while modeling the values and competitive excellence that set the Beach apart.
"Nick's deep roots in this community, his exceptional ability to teach the game, and his proven leadership make him uniquely prepared to guide the next chapter of our storied program. This is a proud moment for the entire MacRae family including his wife Ashley and his children Reese, Nyles, and Maeve. We are thrilled to have him at the helm and look forward to his leadership of our storied program."
Knipe announced his retirement yesterday following 22 seasons in charge of the Men's Volleyball program, winning three National Championships and making nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Nick MacRae has played a huge part in that success, serving as the Associate Head Coach in all three of those titles in 2018, 2019, and 2025, as well as making eight NCAA tournament appearances in the last nine full seasons on staff.
"Nick has proven, year after year, that Long Beach State is where his heart lives," said Knipe. "He has poured 14 years of unwavering commitment and dedicated service into this program, serving in every role possible in preparation for this moment. From stat and technical coordinator to assistant coach and associate head coach, Nick helped with game plans, training plans, recruited elite talent, mentored young men, developed champions, and helped shape our culture from the inside out. He didn't just prepare to lead this program, he lived the preparation. As a proud alumnus, Nick brings deep love, pride, passion, and grit for what Long Beach State Men's Volleyball represents. He understands the standard, the details, and the responsibility that comes with wearing and leading the logo. He is exceptionally well-prepared to take the reins, and he has my full support.
"I have tremendous respect for Nick, not only as a coach, but as a mentor to our players and as a colleague who consistently pushes others toward their best. I know he will do great. He carries the full support of our alumni, our fans, and the entire Long Beach Nation. I look forward to the impact he will make and the success that lies ahead for this program. To Nick, to Ashley, and to your beautiful family, nothing but success lies ahead. Your journey is just beginning, and the Knipe family is excited to watch the legacy you will continue to build for the next generation of champions."
MacRae is a rising star in volleyball coaching, having twice been named the National Assistant Coach of the Year in addition to a 30 under 30 selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). In his time at the Beach, MacRae has helped guide LBSU to eight NCAA Final Four appearances and three National Championships. He has also mentored 47 All-Americans, including four National Players of the Year, as well as 52 All-Conference selections.
"It is my honor to take over as head coach of the greatest program in the country," said MacRae. "I'd first like to thank Alan Knipe. I was 17 when Alan first brought me into this program, and I have been with him ever since I graduated from Long Beach State which has now been 13 seasons. Together, we have recruited and celebrated so much of this volleyball family side-by-side through three national championships, five NCAA championship appearances, and eight trips to the NCAA Final Four. Alan has been an incredible mentor to me, and he has prepared me every step of the way for this exact moment.
"To our LB Legends, I look forward to celebrating each and every one of you. The work that you put into our program is why our team graciously gets to stand tall in an amazing place today.
"My philosophy is simple. People and connections come first, and we will maintain our standards and discipline at the same high level as non-negotiables in this program. We will continue to compete with LB Grit on and off the court. My job as the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball head coach is to unite these young men, elevate them, and help them unlock their potential as future leaders, champions, husbands, fathers, and amazing men in our community. I want to extend my gratitude to Bobby Smitheran for this opportunity, and I'm beyond excited to continue working with our coaching staff and support staff that we have in place to maintain a legacy of sustainable success here at Long Beach State."
MacRae's primary responsibilities on the staff as the Associate Head Coach were working with the setters and the offense. On the way to a 2025 National Championship, the third during his tenure, MacRae played a key role working with and recruiting AVCA National Player of the Year and worldwide phenomenon, Moni Nikolov. A unique player, Nikolov set an NCAA record with 106 aces during the 2025 season as a true freshman, averaging nearly three points per set while making 173 kills, 1,109 assists and 81 total blocks on the year.
Long Beach State hit .398, leading the nation in attack percentage on the way to a dominant 30-3 overall record during the 2025 championship run.
Over his career at LBSU, Nikolov was the fourth All-American setter under his tutelage, joining Aidan Knipe, 2018 AVCA National Player of the Year Josh Tuaniga, and Carlos Rivera.
In his career, he has brought in two No. 1 recruiting classes, and seven Top 5 recruiting classes.
MacRae was instrumental in helping Long Beach State capture its second-straight NCAA National Championship in 2019. With MacRae on the bench, the Beach went 28-2 and notched the program's first-ever undefeated conference season with a 10-0 record. LBSU turned in another perfect record at home extending the team's home winning streak to a program-record 43-straight victories at the Walter Pyramid.
The 2019 season saw the Beach win the Big West Regular Season Championship in a five-set win over No. 1 Hawaii before boasting four AVCA All-Americans, including AVCA National Player of the Year TJ DeFalco. Under MacRae's tutelage, Long Beach State also garnered five Big West All-Conference selections, highlighted by Kyle Ensing's Player of the Year honor.
MacRae was named the head coach of the 2020-21 Boys Youth National Team. He previously served as the 2018-19 USA Youth National Team assistant coach.
The 2018 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year was a key component in helping the Beach capture the program's second National Championship in a historic season that saw the team win a program-record 24 consecutive contests. With MacRae's guidance, Long Beach State went 28-1 and rolled through conference action claiming the Big West Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships.
MacRae played an essential role in Long Beach State's success as the Beach made their third-straight NCAA appearance in 2018. He helped lead the Beach to a 9-1 Big West Conference mark and a perfect 12-0 record inside the Walter Pyramid. Long Beach State finished the season as National Champions and saw five players earn All-America honors.
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