MOREHEAD, Ky. – Ed Tolentino, a former Division I head coach and 15-year collegiate coaching veteran, has been named assistant volleyball coach at Morehead State.
“I am tremendously excited to have Ed on board as the newest member of our family,” Head Coach Jaime Gordon said. “We have known each other for a long time, and now having the opportunity to work with him is great for our program, but for me personally too.”
Tolentino was the head coach at Oakland University (Mich.) for three seasons and also completed assistant stints at Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan and Madonna (Mich.).
“I am excited to work with the team and people at Morehead State,” Tolentino said. “Plus, there are many exciting things happening around campus, and I am proud to be a part of that.”
The Eagles have won three straight Ohio Valley Conference regular season championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011.
“As we continue to move this program forward onto the national stage, Ed brings extensive experience from successful programs at the highest levels,” Gordon added. “He is immersed in the volleyball community, which is a great asset for us on the recruiting front. I believe he will be a critical catalyst for our future success.”
Tolentino served the previous four seasons as an assistant at Georgia Tech, where he mentored three players who earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American status. The Yellow Jackets compiled 72 wins during his tenure and earned their first NCAA Tournament berth in 2009. He guided Monique Mead to All-America honors and a spot on the United States Women’s National A2 team roster.
He spent three seasons on the staff at Madonna where he helped guide the Crusaders to 108 victories, three NAIA national championship berths and three Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference titles. He mentored six all-America honorees, three conference Players of the Year, one Libero of the Year, one Freshman of the Year.
“I have worked with many great people and at some great places,” Tolentino continued. “I know that my experience will add to what has been established here already, and I am confident that we can continue to raise the bar here at MSU.”
Tolentino served as interim assistant coach at Michigan in 2005, a time in which he also joined the staff of Premier Volleyball Club and M-Junior Volleyball Club. He served as director of the M-Juniors for four seasons.
He spent the 2004 season at Michigan State, following a two-year term as assistant coach at EMU. The Eagles were 27-7 in 2002.
He began his collegiate career at Oakland as an assistant in 1997 and 1998. He was promoted to head coach in 1999 and led the Golden Grizzlies for three campaigns.
Tolentino is also a certified athletic trainer and worked for 10 months with the Detroit Tigers’ Gulf Coast League team.
He earned a bachelor’s degree at Detroit Mercy in 1997. A setter and defensive specialist, Tolentino began his collegiate playing career at Macomb College before transferring to UDM.
“When (former associate Head Coach) Greg (Goral) had the opportunity to move on to Campbell, it was a great day for him, but a tough hole to fill,” Gordon said. “From the first day of our search for a replacement, there was no one else that I pursued more than Ed. He is a fantastic coach, a great mentor, and a loyal friend.”
