Northern Kentucky University Athletics

In yet another hire that will go down in school history, Northern Kentucky University and Vice President and Athletics Director Christina Roybal has announced the hiring of Jim Palilonis as the first men's volleyball head coach in program history in June 2024.
 
Palilonis will have the Norse ready for competition beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.
 
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the first head coach for the Northern Kentucky University men's volleyball program," Palilonis said. "President Short-Thompson and Director of Athletics Christina Roybal have a progressive vision for the growth of NCAA Division I men's volleyball, which I have been involved with for more than 20 years. I look forward to bringing that experience to Highland Heights to put NKU on the map for men's volleyball."
 
"The addition of men's volleyball at NKU represents an opportunity to foster and support home-grown talent, as well as to promote the university on a national and international stage," an excited Palilonis added.
 
"We are thrilled to announce Jim as the first head men's volleyball coach at NKU," Roybal said. "He recruits student-athletes who are champions on the court, in the classroom and in the community, and has a proven winning track record. We are excited for Jim to lead the program as we bring NCAA Division I men's volleyball to the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati region."

Palilonis joins NKU after spending the past three years as an assistant coach at Purdue Fort Wayne, competing in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Prior to his time with the Mastodons, Palilonis also served as an assistant coach at Ball State for 16 seasons, who were also members of the MIVA.
 
At Purdue Fort Wayne, Palilonis helped lead defensive strategy while at Ball State, he primarily worked with setters and helped lead the offensive strategy. At both universities, he served as the head recruiting coordinator for the program.
 
Palilonis also played a key role in PFW's three winning seasons while he was on the sidelines. The Mastodons went 47-38 overall (.553) and advanced to the MIVA Tournament all three years during his time with the program. While at Ball State, he helped the Cardinals to 15 winning seasons, which included five 20-win campaigns.
 
Palilonis's teams and student-athletes consistently achieved national rankings and academic honors. One of his biggest accomplishments came at Ball State with his role in the 2002 season where the Cardinals finished with a record of 23-8 overall and reached the NCAA Final Four for the 15th time in program history. That success carried over to his time at Purdue Fort Wayne as the Mastodons ended the 2024 season nationally ranked while posting the highest team grade point average in PFW men's volleyball history.

In addition to his time at Purdue Fort Wayne and with the Ball State men's program, Palilonis served as an assistant coach for the Ball State women's volleyball team for two seasons. He helped the Cardinals claim the 2010 Mid-American Conference regular season title and an at-large bid into the 2011 NCAA Women's Volleyball National Tournament.
 
Palilonis is a 1996 graduate of Ball State University with a degree in secondary education. Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks, he ran an alternative school in Winchester, Indiana and taught social studies in Chicago Public Schools.
 
His wife Jennifer is a George & Frances Ball Distinguished Professor and director of the Ball State Center for Emerging Media Design and Development. The two have twin sons, Gage and Quinn, who are acting majors at Ball State.