Head coach Dave Shondell announced the hiring of John Klanac as assistant coach for the Purdue volleyball team on January 26, 2024.
"I am looking forward to the arrival of our new assistant coach John Klanac," Shondell said. "Early in the hiring process, John rose to the top due to his background in the game as a player and coach, his focus on positively building productive relationships and the ability to bring new and different thoughts and ideas to our program. Like every staff member on our staff, John truly cares about the student-athletes and will work relentlessly to develop each team member as a person and a player. John is a unique student of the game - not just the sport, but the teaching and coaching methods to be most successful."
Klanac comes to Purdue from Rice, where he served as a senior member of the coaching staff that led the team to five straight NCAA tournament appearances from 2018-2022, including three second round berths during that time. As offensive coordinator, Klanac worked with outside hitters in attack and reception, leading the team to rank fifth in the nation in 2021 in kills per set and ninth in hitting %. Meanwhile, 2022 saw the Owls finish the season among the nation's top-15 in five categories, including assists per set, kills per set and hitting percentage.
With a proven track record of developing players, he has helped guide Rice to its most successful years in program history, with student-athletes receving All-America nods in each of his seasons with the Owls, 22 All-conference honors, including two player of the year and a setter of the year accolade, the longest-ever winning streak, the first-ever victory over a No. 3 team in the nation, conference titles and more.
"My family and I are beyond excited to be joining the Purdue family," Klanac said. "I am excited to be a part of a volleyball program that consistently strives for excellence. The culture that Dave, Kat, Michael and Carrie have establish here is second to none and it is apparent in their continued success. I am thrilled to hit the ground running with Purdue Volleyball and look forward to making West Lafayette home. Boiler Up!"
During his six seasons with the Owls, the team posted a 136-38 (.782 winning %) record, including the most successful season in Rice's history with a 27-4 record, an RPI of nine and ranking No. 17 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll.
While at Rice, Klanac also assistant coach for of the nation's elite Houston Skyline Juniors 15's, 16's and 17's team, which won the national championship. The players under his tutelage have committed to Texas, Baylor, Kentucky, LSU and Oklahoma.
Klanac has also had stops at Houston (director of operations, 2017-2018) and Buffalo (volunteer coach, 2015-17).
Klanac played for the Ohio State men's volleyball team, where he was a national champion in 2011 and earned All-Tournament team and Second Team All-America honors during the run. Meanwhile, during his collegiate career, Ohio State secured four Final Four appearances, including one semifinal and one national title match. He is a three-time Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) All-Conference selection, garnering Second Team honors in 2009 and First Team in 2010 and 2011. At the end of his Buckeye career, he ranked in the top-12 in kills (1,048), service aces (70) and points (1,217.5). Klanac graduated from Ohio State in 2011 with a degree in history.
Klanac began his coaching career after playing professionally from 2011-2015, during which time he helped the Kokkolan Tiikerit program in Finland win the national championship. He also had stops in Patriotas de Lares in Puerto Rico, Stinta Explorari Bala Mare in Romania, Al Nasser Sports Club in Bahrain and RWE Bottrop in Germany.
John will be joined in West Lafayette by his wife, Carly, his dog Dolly, and soon-to-be daughter, who will be born in June.
