Lessinger Named Head Volleyball Coach at USF

Current assistant coach Claire Lessinger has been named the new head coach of the USF volleyball program, senior associate athletic director Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy announced today.

Lessinger, a five-year assistant under former head coach Nancy Mueller, has helped lead USF volleyball to two Conference USA regular-season championships (2000 and 2002), a C-USA Tournament title (2002) and two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2000 and 2002). In her five years with the program the Bulls have amassed a record of 106-60, including a 48-18 mark at home.

A native of the Tampa Bay area, Lessinger played volleyball at the University of Florida from 1993-97 and helped lead the Gators to five consecutive SEC titles and three trips to the Final Four. She was also with the team when the program received its first-ever recognition as the nation’s No. 1 team.

Hampered by knee injuries much of her career, Lessinger worked herself into one of the best defensive specialists in the country. In honor of her hard work and dedication as a player, the UF volleyball program established the “Claire Roach Defensive Award”, which is presented annually to the best defensive player. In 1996, she was named the “Best Defensive Specialist in the Country” by Collegiate Volleyball Updates.

“Claire was one of those players that we knew, early on, coaching would be a good choice,” Florida head coach Mary Wise said. “With her passion for the game and understanding of the game, we knew she would do great in this profession and the choice by USF, we think, is a really good one. Those players now and in the future will love playing for her.”

Prior to joining the staff at USF, Lessinger served as an assistant coach for one season at Boston College.

"This is a tremendous honor and opportunity,” Lessinger said. “It is the perfect situation and I must thank Mary Wise and Nancy Mueller for mentoring and guiding me into such a rewarding position. I am most grateful for the opportunity to work with our current student athletes, incoming recruits and all the support staff here at USF. Building and maintaining success is at the top of my priorities. I invision great things happening here and I am excited to get going."

“I am excited to have Claire on board as our head coach to provide continuity for our program,” Sparks-McGlinchy said. “I am confident she will do a tremendous job.”