NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig announced on Monday a contract extension for Volleyball Head Coach Fred Chao through the 2027 season.
“It is hard to believe we have just completed our fifth season of NCAA Division I Volleyball at ODU,” said Selig. “To think we have gone from a start-up program several years ago to setting program records for wins this past year with victories over programs from numerous Power Four leagues is nothing short of remarkable. Fred Chao has been the perfect leader to launch our successful women’s volleyball program, and we could not be more pleased with the results we have seen both on the court and in the classroom. ODU women’s volleyball is poised for SBC championship success and national prominence under the direction of Coach Chao.”
“Fred has been a wonderful addition to our department and has done some great things so far at ODU,” added Carolyn Crutchfield, Executive Senior Associate AD/SWA and the sport administrator for ODU Volleyball. “I’m excited to see how the team continues to grow under Fred’s leadership.”
Chao was hired as the program’s first head coach in January 2019 and recently completed his fifth season at ODU, guiding the Monarchs to a new single-season record for wins as they finished 16-11 overall and 5-9 in Sun Belt Conference play. Chao’s team put together its first-ever 10-match win streak and secured its second-ever win over a Power Four opponent when the Monarchs defeated Rutgers, 3-0 on Sept. 19 to open the Old Dominion Invitational. The 2024 season also saw Myah Conway named to the All-Sun Belt Second team.
“My family and I want to thank President Hemphill, Dr. Wood Selig, and Carolyn Crutchfield for their continued trust and support for not only myself, but for the entire volleyball program. I am proud to serve Old Dominion, Monarch Nation, and our growing fan base, and I am grateful to continue to lead this program filled with remarkable young women. There is more work to do, and I am excited for the future of ODU Volleyball,” said Chao.
During his time in Norfolk, Chao has compiled an overall record of 62-68 with a 27-41 mark in conference play. The Silver Spring, Maryland native guided the Monarchs to their first conference tournament appearance in 2022 when they earned the Sun Belt’s third seed out of the East Division and the team returned to Foley, Alabama in 2023 as the fifth seed out of the East.