Hackensack, NJ -- Fairleigh Dickinson University has named Karl France as its first-ever head men's volleyball coach. Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut made the historic announcement on Wednesday afternoon.
 
An introductory press conference is scheduled for Thursday at 2:00 p.m. on NEC Front Row.

France brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the rapidly-growing sport, having most recently spent a nine-year tenure at NYU. A two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Assistant Coach of the Year, France helped guide the Division III Violets to a 13-3 overall record this past season as the team finished ranked No. 2 nationally.
 
A Brooklyn native, France arrives "on the Hackensack" with over 22 years of volleyball coaching experience. Prior to his second stint at NYU, France orchestrated a turnaround as head coach of Division I Rutgers-Newark where he spent four seasons and led the team to two division titles in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA).
 
France has a proven track record of leading his student-athletes to success on the court and in the classroom. The Bowling Green State University graduate's impressive coaching accolades include coaching the 2006 AVCA National Player of the Year, the 2017 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year, and nine NCAA All-Americans. In addition, the 2017 NYU Violets earned their conference's team academic award.
 
France began his coaching career in 1998 as head coach of both the men's and women's volleyball programs at College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, N.Y. before embarking on his first stint as an assistant coach at NYU in 2002.