UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Women's Volleyball assistant coach Dan Gwitt recently accepted the position of head coach at Miami University. He joins the RedHawks after two successful seasons in Happy Valley.
Gwitt, a 2007 Penn State graduate, returned to his alma mater prior to the 2022 season, which was the first under head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. He helped continue Penn State's tradition of success as the Nittany Lions made the NCAA Regional Semifinal in each of those two seasons. It remained the only program in the nation to compete in all 43 NCAA Division I Tournaments.
"I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributes to making Penn State Volleyball extraordinary, with a special acknowledgment to Coach Katie for bringing me back to my alma mater," Gwitt said. "My time as a coach here has been truly rewarding, and I am confident that the program is in excellent shape for the future. While my goal has always been to become a head coach, leading me to continue my journey elsewhere, I will forever be a devoted supporter of Penn State. Specifically, I will cheer for the team, coaches, and the remarkable individuals I had the pleasure of helping recruit. Thank you all for the unforgettable experiences; I carry them with me into the next chapter of my career. We Are!"
Penn State's first season with Gwitt on staff started with a perfect 11-0 mark in non-conference play that included a pair of wins over nationally-ranked opponents Stanford and Oregon at the Big Ten-Pac 12 Challenge. The Nittany Lions then went 13-7 in the Big Ten before recording wins over UMBC and nationally-ranked UCF in NCAA Tournament matches at Rec Hall. They finished the year at 26-8.
The second season saw Penn State go 23-9 overall, including a 15-5 mark in conference play that was highlighted by a 3-1 win over No. 2 Wisconsin in front of more than 5,000 fans at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions went on the road for the NCAA Tournament and posted wins over Yale and No. 15 Kansas in Lawrence.
Penn State had an All-American in each of Gwitt's two seasons on staff. Additionally, six Nittany Lions earned All-Big Ten honors.
"I want to express my gratitude and admiration for Dan's incredible contributions to our team over the past two seasons," Schumacher-Cawley said. "Dan was an invaluable asset to Penn State, and his dedication and passion for the game has left a mark. His commitment to the values and spirit of being a Penn Stater has been truly commendable. His loyalty, hard work, and unwavering support for our University have not only made him an outstanding coach but also a cherished member of our close-knit community. I am genuinely thankful to have had Dan as a part of our coaching staff."
Gwitt is the fifth head coach in the history of Miami University volleyball.
"I have full confidence that Dan will excel in his new role at Miami University," Schumacher-Cawley said. "His dedication, strategic mindset, and leadership qualities will undoubtedly make a positive impact. I wish Dan and Sydney the very best."
