SILVER CITY, N.M. – Following a national search, the Western New Mexico University Athletic Department is thrilled to announce the hiring of Geno Frugoli as the Mustangs' next Head Volleyball Coach. Frugoli, a Las Vegas, Nevada native, was previously the head coach for the Saints of Seward County Community College.
"The commitment and vision expressed to me by Dr. Shepard and Mr. Noble to make Mustang Volleyball a contender was extremely impressive," said Head Coach Geno Frugoli. "I would like to thank them and the committee for this opportunity."
After three seasons at Seward County Frugoli compiled a 76-23 overall record and a 41-7 KJCCC regular season conference record. Frugoli would manage to keep the Lady Saints in the top 20 of the NJCAA every year and would lead them to the Region VI championship, winning the championship this past year. He has also been named the Region VI Coach of the Year in two of his three seasons at Seward County Community College.
"Our coaches and players will be dedicated to winning and having a strong culture," said Frugoli. "I'm excited to get it going."
Frugoli has 18-years of collegiate coaching experience with over 9 years at the NCAA Division I level. He got his start at the collegiate level as the Head Coach for Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, South Dakota. After Frugoli took over Dakota Wesleyan, in one year he would improve their record from 2-29 to .500.
Frugoli would receive his first NCAA Division I job as an assistant at Baylor University in the Big XII. While apart of Baylor University, Frugoli served as the main recruiter for three seasons. During that time, he brought in seven players that were named in the Top-150, including the number one recruit in Texas. His 2006 recruiting class was ranked No. 16 in the country.
From there he was named the Head Coach at Division I University of Missouri-Kansas City in the Summit League. After four seasons he moved to Southeastern Louisiana University in the Southland Conference. Frugoli would then move onto become the Associate Head Coach for the University of North Texas in Conference USA. He would lead North Texas to a 3rd place finish in Conference USA and a National RPI of 44 in his final year.
Prior to making the jump to the NCAA level, Frugoli coached in Nebraska at Peru State College where he not only served as the women's coach but also started a Men's program, being ranked #7 in the nation.
Frugoli also keeps academics as a high priority, with three teams earning the AVCA Academic Team Award for having at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA. While at UMKC a total of 32 student-athletes were named to The Summit League Academic All-League team and 14 were selected to the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence.
This announcement is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, TikTok & Instagram).
