Coaches

Jose Pina

Head Coach

Jose Pina has served as head coach of the New York University men's volleyball program for the past 14 seasons. His teams have won two Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division III Championships (2000 & 2002), two EIVA Hay Conference Championships (2002 & 2004), have made five NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005).

Pina’s career coaching records stands at 177-189, including last season’s 13-16 finish. In 2007, he again led the Violets to a top-10 national ranking. NYU finished the season #6 in the CSTV/AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Division III Coaches’ Poll, compiled a 7-4 home record, a 6-4 record in the Hay Division, and secured the most victories in a season since Pina’s 2004 squad went 20-8.

Under Pina’s tutelage, senior captain Macnair Sillick earned Second Team AVCA Division III All-America honors, Second Team EIVA Division III All-Star honors, Sports Imports/AVCA Division III Player of the Week honors, and was twice named EIVA Hay Division Player of the Week.

In 2006, the Violets earned a #2 ranking in the final season CSTV/AVCA Poll and finished second at the EIVA Division III Championship Tournament, while Chris Schmidt received AVCA Division III Men’s National Player of the Year honors.

Pina began his coaching career as an assistant under NYU's Mike Michalakis from 1991-93. The Violets earned an NCAA Tournament bid in 1992.

A two-year captain and four-year starter for NYU's club volleyball team, Pina earned his bachelor's degree in economics in 1987. NYU's volleyball program began playing at the varsity level in 1989.

An eight-time member of New York City's Empire State Games volleyball team, Pina continues to play recreationally.

Above all, Pina's heart lies with an NYU volleyball program that he has helped to build into one of the best in the nation.

"NYU provides an educational experience unlike any other school," Pina said. "Our location, our faculty and our student body are the university's strongest assets. I believe it is truly one of the best places in the country for a student-athlete to continue his academic career. On top of this, we continue to build one of the top volleyball programs in the nation and provide student-athletes from all over the nation a chance to study and play in the greatest city in the world."

A native of Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Pina, his wife Patricia, and their daughters Gabrielle and Chloe currently reside in Manhattan.

Jose Pina Record
Year
W
L
Pct.
EIVA
1994
9
11
.450
1-5 (Hay)
1995
10
12
.455
1-5 (H)
1996
6
18
.250
1-5 (H)
1997
7
17
.292
1-5 (H)
1998
11
15
.423
2-4 (H)
1999*
20
8
.714
4-2 (H)
2000E
17
14
.548
9-3 (H)
2001*
15
13
.536
9-3 (H)
2002E*
24
7
.774
12-0 (H)
2003
6
21
.222
1-11 (Tait)
2004*
20
8
.714
12-0 (H)
2005*
8
15
.347
2-8 (T)
2006
11
14
.440
0-12 (T)
2007
13
16
.448
6-4 (H)
Totals
177
189
.484
58-36 (Hay)
3-31 (Tait)

E - EIVA Division III Champions
* - NCAA Tournament Appearance

Chris Pinto

Assistant

Chris Pinto is in his first season as the assistant coach of the New York University men’s volleyball team. His responsibilities will include assisting with all aspects of game preparation, practice organization and off-season training programs. He will also help monitor the players’ academic progress and be involved in all aspects of recruiting and talent evaluation.

Pinto comes to NYU after having served as the head volleyball coach at Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, NY, since 2004. He was named Suffolk County Coach of the Year and led Whitman to division championships in 2004-06. His squad also earned the New York State Scholar Athlete Team Award in 2006.

Pinto, who has also coached at the Empire State Games, recently completed a mentorship program at Athlete’s Performance, a state-of-the-art training facility in Tempe, Arizona, which focuses on sport-specific training methods. He holds certification in personal training, professional coaching and advanced nutrition, and is the founder and director of Performance Fitness, a strength and conditioning facility in Smithtown, NY.

“I am pleased to have Chris join our program,” said NYU head coach Jose Pina. “He brings a strong volleyball background, as well as superb credentials as a trainer of professional and amateur teams and athletes. Chris is a local guy whose previous involvement in the juniors system will allow us to continue our strong nationwide recruiting success.”

A 2005 graduate of C.W. Post University with a degree in physical education, Pinto will also serve as the strength and conditioning coach for the NYU women’s volleyball team.

A native of South Huntington, Pinto resides in Huntington Station, NY.