March 14, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - After three successful seasons leading the Villanova University women's volleyball program, head coach Gilad Doron has stepped down to take the head coaching position at the University of San Francisco, it was announced today.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Gilad and his family," Villanova Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro said. "Gilad has done an outstanding job leading our women's volleyball program the past several years. We thank him for his efforts at Villanova and wish him the best at USF."

Doron arrived at Villanova in 2004 and posted a 46-44 record in his three seasons as head coach. During his tenure, Doron made significant strides in turning the program into a perennial BIG EAST power. His 2005 team went 21-11 as the Wildcats reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 1997.

Villanova qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament in 2005 and wound up with the team's first winning season since 2002. The 12-win improvement from the previous season that the 2005 team recorded was the second-best turnaround in BIG EAST history. The Wildcats posted a second-straight winning season in 2006 with a 16-15 record, including a 7-7 mark in conference play.

Throughout his time at Villanova, Doron stressed the importance of playing against top competition. In each of his three seasons the Wildcats played a demanding non-conference schedule of tournaments early in the season that featured matches against some of the top programs in the nation.

At University of San Francisco, Doron will inherit a team that went 23-10 last season and is coming off of the most successful four-year stretch in program history. The Dons compete in the West Coast Conference and have finished near the top of the conference in two of the past four seasons.

Villanova will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately.