Lewis University Athletics

Lewis All-America Selections (Friend Era)
Lewis All-MIVA Selections (Friend Era)
Lewis MIVA Specialty Award Selections (Friend Era)
Lewis Academic All-MIVA Selections (Friend Era)
Lewis Alumni Playing Overseas

The 2026 campaign will mark the 22nd season for Dan Friend at the helm of the Lewis University men’s volleyball program as one of only two coaches over the 31 years of the program. He is in his 29th season overall as a collegiate head coach and enters the season with a 578-281 overall record.  Friend is ranked 4^th overall in active NCAA Men’s Division I/II Volleyball Coaches for overall wins and boast 5 NCAA Tournament appearances along with a NCAA Runner-Up Finish in 2015 and 4 NCAA Final Four Appearances.  

In addition to his coaching duties, he now carries the role of Assistant Athletic Director of Strategic Initiatives. Friend’s role will broadly encompass several internal and external areas as he will assist in spearheading a number of strategic and revenue-driving initiatives for the athletics department with an emphasis on innovation, community visibility, and brand expansion.

Friend has accumulated a 414-207 (.667) record during his 21 years as head coach of Lewis. In that time, Friend’s student-athletes have earned 4 MIVA Player of the Years, 4 MIVA Newcomers of the Year, 91 All-MIVA Conference Players, 86 MIVA Players of the Week, 11 AVCA National Players of the Week, 45 AVCA All-American honors, and 1 AVCA Newcomer of the Year.  Friend himself was named the 2015 AVCA Men’s National Coach of the Year and 2015 Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year along within being named MIVA Coach of the Year in 2015, 2019, and 2020. Friend has recorded non-conference victories over every Top 20 opponent including UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, Hawaii, Stanford, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, Penn State, Long Beach State and BYU. 

Friend has also guided the Flyers to 16 MIVA Tournament Semifinals or better matches including winning the 2012, 2019 and 2021 titles. The Flyers have won the MIVA Regular season title under Friend 5 times in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2021. The Flyers have had 19 seasons of 15 wins or more under Friend while finishing with a program best mark of 27-4 in 2015. Lewis has been awarded the AVCA Team Academic Award in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Lewis has been ranked nationally in 260 AVCA Top 20 Polls dating back to 2008 including 145 times in the top 10 under Coach Friend. Neil Carey Arena has become a house of pain for opponents under Friend. Since 2008 the Flyers are 214-54 in Romeoville for a .799 win-percentage.

The 2025 campaign saw Lewis go 22-9 to mark the first time since the 2021 campaign that the Flyers eclipsed 20-or-more wins. Five Lewis men's volleyball players received All-MIVA honors with Oguzhan Oguz named First Team All-MIVA, while Frederick Krueger-Beer, Ryler Morgan, Nico Paula and Max Roquet were all awarded second team accolades. The Flyers advanced to the MIVA Tournament Semifinals and ended the year ranked #15 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll. 
 
In 2024, Lewis went 15-15 and another trip to the MIVA Tournament while Nico Paula and Max Roquet received All-MIVA First Team and Roquet was also an AVCA All-American. They recorded wins over #5 UC Irvine, #9 BYU, #12 Ball State, #16 Northridge, and #16 George Mason.  The Flyers finished the season ranked #17 in the final AVCA/NVA National Collegiate MVB Poll. 

In 2023, The Flyers had a 17-13 record and advanced to the MIVA Tournament Semifinals while two players achieved All-MIVA Second Team as Christian Prayer and Max Roquet were both honored. During the 2023 MIVA Tournament, Michael Sack was named to the MIVA All-Tournament Team after his performance. The Flyers finished the season receiving votes in the Final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll. 

In 2022, Lewis recorded a 16-12 mark while going to the MIVA Tournament Semifinals while Tyler Mitchem and Kevin Kauling achieved All-MIVA First Team honors. Mitchem received All-American honors for the fourth straight year, while also earning MIVA All-Tournament Team Honors. Kauling was also awarded All-American honors for his third straight season. The season was highlighted by an upset of #1 UCLA on there home floor, along with wins against #9 Grand Canyon, and #13 Ohio State.  The Flyers finished the season ranked #14 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll.

In 2021, Lewis went 21-3, won the MIVA regular season and postseason championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Lewis swept past Penn State in the NCAA Opening Round match before losing in four sets to eventual runners-up BYU in the semifinal round. The Flyers finished the season winning 13 of its final 14 matches. Lewis finished the season ranked #4 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll.  Lewis had five players earn All-MIVA honors with Ryan Coenen being named the Player of the Year for the second straight year. He was joined on the first team by Tyler Mitchem and Kevin Kauling. TJ Murray and Kyle Bugee were second team All-MIVA selections. The Flyers also had five AVCA All-Americans, led by First Team selections Coenen and Mitchem. Kauling and Murray were named to the second team and Bugee was an honorable mention selection.

In 2020, Lewis was 15-4, 6-1 (MIVA) when the season was shut down to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Flyers were riding an eight-match winning streak when the season was suspended. Lewis had five players earn All-MIVA honors with Coenen being named the Player of the Year. He was joined on the first team by Tyler Mitchem. Kevin Kauling, TJ Murray and Kyle Bugee were second team All-MIVA selections and Friend was named the MIVA Coach of the Year for the second straight year and third time in his career. Lewis finished the season ranked #5 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll.

In 2019 the Flyers went 26-6, won the MIVA regular season and postseason championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. Lewis defeated USC 3-1 in the NCAA Opening Round match before losing in four sets to eventual runners-up Hawaii in the semifinal round. The Flyers finished the season winning 19 of their final 21 matches which was highlighted by an 11-match winning streak from Feb. 8 - March 23. Lewis finished the season ranked #4 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll.  Lewis had six players earn All-MIVA honors with Matt Yoshimoto being named the Player of the Year. He was joined on the first team by Coenen, Michael Simmons and Mitchem. Julian Moses and T.J. Murray were second team All-MIVA selections and Friend was named the Co-Coach of the Year. It was the second time he's been named the MIVA Coach of the Year. The Flyers had four AVCA All-Americans, led by Second Team selections Coenen, Mitchem and Yoshimoto. Simmons was an Honorable Mention selection.  Grant Holve was also awarded the prestigious NCAA Elite 90 Award for his work in the classroom throughout the season. Simmons was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree for his third straight season.

The 2018 season saw the Flyers go 19-11 and advanced to the semifinal round of the MIVA Tournament. The season was highlighted by wins over USC, Ohio State and Penn State.  Lewis finished the season ranked #10 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll.  Lewis had three AVCA All-Americans, led by Second Team selection Coenen. He was joined by AVCA Honorable Mention All-American Selections Simmons and Yoshimoto. Coenen and Simmons were named to the All-MIVA First Team. Simmons was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-American honoree for his second straight season.

The 2017 season the Flyers recorder a 20-win season at 23-7, finishing the regular season at 2^nd overall in the MIVA.  Lewis finished the season ranked #7 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll.  The Flyers had four AVCA All-Americans, led by AVCA Newcomer of the Year and Second Team selection, Coenen. Coenen was joined by AVCA Honorable Mention All-American Selections Mitch Perinar, Michael Simmons and Matt Yoshimoto. All four were named to the All-MIVA First Team. Simmons was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.

The 2016 campaign was an impressive run for the Flyers as they advanced to the MIVA Championship match, despite the loss of eight seniors from the 2015 National Runner-Up squad.  The Flyers had an overall record of 19-13 and finished the season ranked #9 in the final AVCA Men’s National Collegiate Poll. Three Lewis players were named AVCA All-Americans, led by First Team honoree Bobby Walsh, Jacob Schmiegelt (Honorable Mention) and Perinar (Honorable Mention). Perinar was also named the MIVA Freshman of the Year.

2015 was a record setting season for Lewis. Friend's Flyers went 27-4 to set a program record for fewest losses in a season. He was named the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year as well as the MIVA Coach of the Year. The Flyers won the MIVA regular season title and finished as national runner-up. Lewis earned a midseason No. 1 ranking in the AVCA Poll for the first time in program history. Five Flyers were named AVCA All-Americans with Geoff Powell picking up first team honors. Eric Fitterer took home AVCA All-America Second Team accolades before earning the prestigious NCAA Elite 89 Award for his work in the classroom. Fitterer was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team selection.
 
Lewis advanced to the MIVA Championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Setter BJ Boldog was an AVCA All-American each year. The Flyers won the 2012 MIVA Tournament and advanced to the National Semifinals for the fourth time in program history. Lewis finished the season ranked sixth in the nation. The Flyers tied for the most wins in the country with 26. A year later, the Flyers earned a 2013 MIVA regular season title. In 2014 the Flyers again advanced to the MIVA title game and picked up one of two at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament play-in matches. Lewis was the first MIVA member to earn an NCAA al-large bid since 1994.
 
While Lewis’ breakthrough season came in 2012, the 2009 season may have been the turning point for Friend’s rebuilding efforts. The senior laden squad, made up of Friend’s first recruiting class, reached as high as No. 9 in the nation before finishing the season ranked No. 12 thanks to a 21-8 record. Individually, outside hitter Drew Pickering became Lewis’ first AVCA All-American in six seasons. His 4.15 kills per set led the MIVA and helped him become Lewis’ first MIVA Player of the Year in 10 seasons. Libero Nick Perakes became Lewis’ all-time leader in digs with 964. All told, five of Lewis’ seven starters earned All-MIVA selections.
 
Friend’s first taste of NCAA postseason play came in the fall of 2006 when he took over as interim head coach of the Lewis women’s team and led the Flyers to their first conference championship in 14 years. The women’s team went 17-3 under Friend, finishing with a 25-6 overall record and a trip to the NCAA tournament.

Friend has served in various roles for USA Volleyball over the years. He is currently a scout for NTDP with both indoor and beach volleyball. He has also been with USA College Beach Training Group the past 3 summers in 2021,2022, and 2023. Friend is serving as the Head Coach for the 2024 USA Men’s Beach Teams for the FISU World University Championships in Sao Paul, Brazil. Friend has had opportunities with the Senior National Team during the VNL league in Chicago and Bulgaria in 2016 and 2019, Friend was the Assistant Coach for the World University Games in Taipei, Taiwan in 2017. In 2014 and 2015, Friend served as the Head coach of the USA Men’s Junior National Team that earned the bronze medal at NORCECA in El Salvador in 2014 and competed at Worlds in Mexicali, Mexico in 2015.  He was the head coach of the 2012 U.S. Boys’ Youth National Volleyball Team that earned a bronze in the NORCECA Boys’ Under-19 Continental Championship in Tijuana, Mexico. He served as an assistant coach on the 2011 USA FIVB World Youth Championships team that competed in Argentina, the 2009 USA FIVB World Youth Championships team that competed in Italy, and the 2008 Men’s USA Volleyball Junior National Team that earned a bronze medal at NORCECA. 
Friend also has an extensive history of coaching beach during the summer.  He is BCAP certified and has ran several beach clinics.  He continues to do private lessons as well and has coached several events on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals).  Working with Tim and Brian Bomgren, Chaim Chalk, Sheila Shaw, and Kathryn Babcock (Peining).  He has been part of several top 10 finishes overs the years highlighted by a second place in the 2018 Chicago AVP. 

He also coached and played for a college-age men’s team called USA Athletes on four different summer tours. That team took first at the 2007 Scottish Open, 2004 Aruba Invitational and the 2002 Down Under Games (Australia). In 2003 the team finished third in the DKV Invitational (Netherlands).

Before arriving at Lewis, Friend served as the men’s and women’s volleyball head coach at Newman University. Friend started the men’s volleyball program at Newman in 2002 and led the team to the NAIA national championship match in its third year. He coached the Jets to a 20-win season in 2003 and was named NAIA National Coach of the Year after leading the 2004 squad to a 29-11 mark and national runner-up finish. He was inducted into Newman's Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 2, 2013 as a head coach and with his 2004 squad.  As Newman’s women’s head volleyball coach, Friend guided the program to 22 or more wins in each of his three seasons at the helm. He coached 15 all-conference, eight all-region and two All-America players. In 2003, the Jets posted a 32-8 overall record and 14-2 league mark. Friend’s combined record in the two positions, was 142-81 (.637), including a 66-40 (.623) record with the men’s team.

Before coaching at Newman, Friend spent three seasons as an assistant women’s volleyball coach at Washburn University. Prior to that, Friend was a student assistant at Washburn for four years.

Friend is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and has held several different positions within the organization. He is currently in his second term on the board as the Division I/II NCAA Men’s Volleyball representative.  Friend also serves on the AVCA Top 20 Voting poll and was part of the AVCA All American committee for over 10 years, as well as the chair for the All-American Committee for 6 years

Friend is going into his third year of the NCAA Division II Connections Committee.  He is a member of the MIVA Hall of Fame Committee, and is on the Lewis Hall of Fame Committee.
 
Friend is a native of Topeka, Kansas, and a graduate of Washburn University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and exercise physiology at Washburn before completing a master’s degree in sports administration at the University of Kansas.

Friend is married to Lewis women’s volleyball head coach Lorelee Smith. They have a daughter, Rae Analyn. The couple are Co-Founders of the Rae Strong Foundation. For more information on the Rae Strong Foundation visit here.