FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Todd Kress has announced his resignation as head coach of the Fairfield University Volleyball program and will accept the same position at San Jose State University. Kress has led the Stags for 13 seasons between two tenures at Fairfield, most recently from 2014-22.
"Coach Kress has been instrumental in transforming Fairfield Volleyball into the premier program in the MAAC and one of the most formidable and respected in mid-major volleyball nationally," said Fairfield Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann. "He has consistently recruited and developed student-athletes of high character who excel academically, who are great campus and community citizens and who distinguish themselves in their respective professional pursuits as Fairfield University graduates – all while competing and achieving at the highest level on the volleyball court. Todd has embraced our core values, been a reliable team player and a passionate source of support for all our student-athletes and programs. We are grateful for his dedication and commitment to Fairfield and Stags Athletics and wish him the best of luck in this next chapter of his journey."
The winningest head coach in both Fairfield and MAAC Volleyball history, Kress is 283-118 (.706) in 13 seasons at Fairfield as part of a 517-313 (.623) overall record in 27 campaigns as a Division I head coach. He is a nine-time MAAC Coach of the Year, a 10-time MAAC regular season champion and a seven-time MAAC Tournament Champion – all conference records for a head volleyball coach. In addition to his two tenures with the Stags from 1995-98 and 2014-22, Kress has also guided the programs at Northern Illinois (1999-2001), Florida State (2002-07) and Buffalo (2009-13).
"A huge part of my heart will always be with Fairfield University. I've spent almost half of my professional career at Fairfield, creating lifelong friendships and incredible memories," Kress said. "I've been honored to work with overachieving student-athletes that always gave the best of themselves to the volleyball program, campus student body and the Fairfield community. I thank Gene Doris and Alison Sexton who believed in me twice to oversee the volleyball program, and thank my colleagues over the years who provided support, mentorship and guidance during my time here. But most of all, I thank my student-athletes who made every day special, helped me become a better coach and person and made it a privilege to come to the gym every day. I never 'worked' a single day at Fairfield, and that's the highest compliment I believe that I can give."
A national search for the next head coach of Fairfield Volleyball will begin immediately.
