Coaching Experience
• Assistant Coach, Cornell University (2019 - Present)
• Assistant Coach, Auburn University (2019)
• Head Coach, UConn, (2014-19)
• Assistant Coach, Auburn University (2011-14)
• Assistant Coach, University of Arkansas (2008-11)
• Associate Head Coach, Morehead State University (2007-08)
• Assistant Coach, Morehead State University (2005-07)
• Assistant Coach, University of Mississippi (2002-05)
• Head Coach, Auburn University (1998-00)
• Assistant Coach, Auburn University (1994-98)
• Assistant Coach, Florida State University (1991-94)
Education
• M.A., Mathematics Education, Florida State University '93
• B.A., Mathematics (with Distinction), George Mason University '91
At Cornell
Kris Grunwald joined the Cornell volleyball staff as an assistant coach in February of 2020 after coaching and training for 28 years in Division I volleyball.
Prior to Cornell
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.
Playing Career
Grunwald played collegiate volleyball at George Mason University where he was a starter 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.
Personal
A native of Germantown, N.Y., Grunwald resides in Slaterville Springs, N.Y.
*Updated February 2020
