ITHACA, N.Y. – Trudy Vande Berg, The Wendy Schaenen '79 Head Coach of Volleyball, has announced the hiring of Kris Grunwald in advance of the 2020 season, as he joins the staff as an assistant coach.
Grunwald's repertoire of experience is expansive, having spent 28 years coaching and training in Division I volleyball. He has served as either a head coach, an associate head, or an assistant coach at six different Division I institutions, positively impacting each program that he has come in contact with. After dotting the map during his coaching career, Grunwald's landing in Ithaca will be a great addition to the Cornell volleyball staff.
"We had an incredible pool of candidates apply for this position, but I never imagined that we could attract someone of Kris's caliber," said Vande Berg. "He has coached and recruited at the highest level and has run his own programs. He also has a mind for numbers, which aligns well with our staff and our needs. I can't wait to get Kris on campus and in the gym as we work to reach our goals. He is ready to help our program take the next step as we continue our chase for an Ivy League title."
Grunwald spent the 2019 season as an assistant coach at Auburn in what was his third stint with the Tigers. Grunwald initially joined the Auburn staff as an assistant, coaching in that role from 1994-97 before being elevated to head coach of the program for the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He also returned to Auburn as an assistant coach for the 2002 and 2003 campaigns.
The Tigers had a winning record in all eight years with Grunwald on staff. As a head coach, he amassed a 41-20 record, which included a 22-win campaign in 1998. Grunwald was also a part of the 1996 squad that finished 22-9 overall and 11-4 in SEC play, winning the SEC Western Division title.
In between his second and third coaching stints at Auburn, Grunwald served as the head coach at UConn from 2014-19. He finished his time at Connecticut with a 70-86 overall record, including back-to-back seasons with 16 wins in 2015 and 2016 and a 10-win conference record in 2015.
Grunwald also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Arkansas where he excelled on the recruiting trail, helping the Razorbacks' secure a top-45 recruiting class in 2009. His ability to help turn programs around was also on display at Arkansas, as he helped transform the Razorbacks from a 7-23 team in 2008 to an 18-12 team by 2011.
Grunwald helped Morehead State experience a similar turnaround during his time as an assistant and associate head coach, helping the team go from a 6-26 record in 2005 to 22-12 and OVC Co-Champions in 2007.
Among all the places Grunwald has been, it didn't take long for him to realize that Cornell was the perfect next step for him as he continues his successful volleyball coaching career.
"I am very excited to be joining the Big Red Volleyball family," said Grunwald. "Throughout my career, I have always placed an emphasis on surrounding myself with the right people. While meeting the student-athletes, both current and former, support staff, coaches, and athletic director, it became clear to me that Cornell is the right culture and environment for me. I am honored to be involved with such a prestigious academic institution and the opportunity to compete for an Ivy League championship."
Grunwald received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from George Mason University in 1991, where he was a member of the men's volleyball team and started on the 1988 squad that made the Final Four. During his time as a Patriot student-athlete, Grunwald was a three-time honorable mention Asics All-American and four-time first team All-EIVA selection.
Grunwald went on to obtain his master's degree in mathematics education from Florida State University in 1993.
