University Southern California Trojans
Keller Completes USC Women’s Volleyball Coaching Staff
July 06, 2020 | Women's Volleyball, Features
The Women of Troy have hired former UAB head coach Amy Pauly as an assistant coach in charge of USC’s recruiting efforts
LOS ANGELES – First-year USC women's volleyball head coach Brad Keller has completed his coaching staff with the hiring of Amy Pauly as assistant coach and the retention of JJ Van Niel as associate head coach for the Women of Troy, Keller officially announced on Monday, July 6.
"I am excited to embark on this program's next chapter with this coaching staff," said Keller.
Pauly joins the Women of Troy from UAB (Alabama-Birmingham) where she spent the last two seasons (2018-19) as head coach of the Blazers. Van Niel was initially hired for the same position by USC's previous head coach Brent Crouch and was with the Trojans for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
"I am thrilled to have Amy Pauly join our staff," said Keller. "She brings charisma, energy, and an unbelievable work ethic to the Women of Troy. She has a proven eye for talent, has built solid relationships nationwide, and works diligently to better each program she has been involved with. Her magnetic personality and ability to connect with people impressed me immediately; and her experience as a head coach and teaching style will have a big impact on this program."
"I feel fortunate to announce JJ Van Niel as our associate head coach," said Keller. "He brings a relentless passion and drive to our program. JJ has an exceptionally high standard and love for the University of Southern California. He is deeply analytical and has established himself as one of our sport's top talent evaluators. In addition to his work at the collegiate level, JJ's resume boasts valuable international experience including with Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games."
In 2016, Pauly was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 30 Under 30 List. Prior to her time as head coach at UAB, Pauly was the associate head coach at Villanova for six years (2012-17) and helped the Wildcats to 97 wins and an appearance in the 2015 NCAA tournament. In 2017, her efforts helped 'Nova secure its first-ever top-55 recruiting class and she helped coach a pair of All-Big East selections. Pauly got her start in collegiate coaching as the graduate assistant at South Carolina for the 2010-11 seasons. As a student-athlete, she lettered four years (2005-08) at Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide to three NCAA berths.
Van Niel helped the Trojans to NCAA tournament appearances in each of the last two seasons. He spent the three previous years at Utah as an assistant coach (2015-16) and associate head coach (2017). Van Niel helped the Utes advance to the NCAA regional semifinal for only the third time in program history in 2017. Prior to Utah, Van Niel was a consultant coach and scout for the U.S. Women's National Team; and has served as a team leader since 2013. He helped lead Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the 2013 U23 World Championships, a silver-medal finish at the 2014 VolleyMasters, and a gold medal at the 2014 World Championships. In 2016, he was a scout coach for Team USA at the Rio Olympic Games.
Last season, USC faced one of the nation's toughest schedules and finished the with an 18-14 overall record despite myriad injuries and changes to the Trojans' lineup. The Women of Troy went 11-9 in the Pac-12 and landed in sixth place. USC received an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament and made its 37th all-time appearance in the tourney (29th consecutive) where the Trojans advanced to the second round before falling to top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Baylor. Outside hitter Khalia Lanier was honored as an AVCA second-team All-American.
For more information on the USC women's volleyball team and a complete schedule and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
"I am excited to embark on this program's next chapter with this coaching staff," said Keller.
Pauly joins the Women of Troy from UAB (Alabama-Birmingham) where she spent the last two seasons (2018-19) as head coach of the Blazers. Van Niel was initially hired for the same position by USC's previous head coach Brent Crouch and was with the Trojans for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
"I am thrilled to have Amy Pauly join our staff," said Keller. "She brings charisma, energy, and an unbelievable work ethic to the Women of Troy. She has a proven eye for talent, has built solid relationships nationwide, and works diligently to better each program she has been involved with. Her magnetic personality and ability to connect with people impressed me immediately; and her experience as a head coach and teaching style will have a big impact on this program."
"I feel fortunate to announce JJ Van Niel as our associate head coach," said Keller. "He brings a relentless passion and drive to our program. JJ has an exceptionally high standard and love for the University of Southern California. He is deeply analytical and has established himself as one of our sport's top talent evaluators. In addition to his work at the collegiate level, JJ's resume boasts valuable international experience including with Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games."
In 2016, Pauly was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 30 Under 30 List. Prior to her time as head coach at UAB, Pauly was the associate head coach at Villanova for six years (2012-17) and helped the Wildcats to 97 wins and an appearance in the 2015 NCAA tournament. In 2017, her efforts helped 'Nova secure its first-ever top-55 recruiting class and she helped coach a pair of All-Big East selections. Pauly got her start in collegiate coaching as the graduate assistant at South Carolina for the 2010-11 seasons. As a student-athlete, she lettered four years (2005-08) at Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide to three NCAA berths.
Van Niel helped the Trojans to NCAA tournament appearances in each of the last two seasons. He spent the three previous years at Utah as an assistant coach (2015-16) and associate head coach (2017). Van Niel helped the Utes advance to the NCAA regional semifinal for only the third time in program history in 2017. Prior to Utah, Van Niel was a consultant coach and scout for the U.S. Women's National Team; and has served as a team leader since 2013. He helped lead Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the 2013 U23 World Championships, a silver-medal finish at the 2014 VolleyMasters, and a gold medal at the 2014 World Championships. In 2016, he was a scout coach for Team USA at the Rio Olympic Games.
Last season, USC faced one of the nation's toughest schedules and finished the with an 18-14 overall record despite myriad injuries and changes to the Trojans' lineup. The Women of Troy went 11-9 in the Pac-12 and landed in sixth place. USC received an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament and made its 37th all-time appearance in the tourney (29th consecutive) where the Trojans advanced to the second round before falling to top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Baylor. Outside hitter Khalia Lanier was honored as an AVCA second-team All-American.
For more information on the USC women's volleyball team and a complete schedule and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballThursday, September 24
Sunday, September 20
Friday, September 18
Sunday, September 13
