Orlando Gonzalez begins his second season on the Michigan Techbench in 2010 after guiding the volleyball program to the NCAATournament in his first season as head coach. The former Division Iskipper took the reigns of the program on Aug. 7, 2009, and had theprogram playing in the postseason three months later.
The Huskies posted a 14-15 record under Gonzalez in 2009 andfinished 10-6 in the rugged Great Lakes Intercollegiate AthleticConference North Division, which sent five teams to the NCAATournament.
Prior to coming to Tech, Gonzalez worked as an assistantvolleyball coach at fellow GLIAC member Northwood University, wherehe helped the Timberwolves to a GLIAC South Division Championshipand NCAA Tournament berth.
From 2005-07, Gonzalez was the head coach at NCAA Division IRutgers University in New Jersey. He mentored one All-Big Eastplayer and his teams posted the second-highest grade point averagein the athletic department.
The Kalamazoo, Mich., native spent nearly 10 years as headcoach and regional coordinator for USA Michigan Volleyball, anelite high school-level club. His squads consistently qualified fornationals, and Gonzalez was the only coach ever to win the EastCoast Championship twice (1998 and 2003). He also had nearly 50 ofhis athletes earn NCAA Division I scholarships.
In addition to his coaching background, Gonzalez hasexperience as a camp director and instructor, clinic speaker andcollege admissions counselor. He is a graduate of Michigan StateUniversity with degrees in communication and advertising.
Gonzalez’s wife, Carrie, serves as Tech’sassistant volleyball coach. The couple has two daughters, and theyreside in Houghton.
