2011 AVCA Region Coach of the Year brings nearly 10 years of coaching experience to the Golden Flashes.

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State volleyball program has added coaching veteran Steve Bailey to its coaching staff as an assistant, first-year head coach Don Gromala announced Friday (May 25).

"I'd like to thank Don Gromala for a tremendous honor to join the Kent State volleyball program," said Bailey. "I am excited to be a part of the Kent State family and look forward to carrying on the great traditions of the program."

Bailey comes to the Golden Flashes after a head coaching stint at Kishwaukee College in Illinois in which he guided the Kougars to a 175-31 record (.850 winning percentage) and garnered 2010 and '11 NJCAA Region 4 Coach of the Year honors and 2011 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Region Coach of the Year recognition. Over the course of his eight-year coaching career, Bailey has mentored eight First Team All-America selections, seven first team Academic All-America honorees and four First AVCA All-America picks.

"We are fortunate to have Steve as an addition to our Golden Flash

volleyball staff," said Gromala. "He has experienced great successes as a coach, and his gregarious personality will be a huge asset to our program."

Bailey also brings several years of club coaching experience, serving as the lead trainer for Club Fusion and the director of operations for Avalanche Volleyball Club. His collegiate coaching career began when he served as an associate head coach at Kishwaukee College.

A native of Naperville, Ill., Bailey earned a business management degree from the University of Phoenix.