Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft announced Wednesday the naming of Colin McMillan as the fourth head coach in the 50-year history of Penn State men’s volleyball. McMillan will succeed current head coach Mark Pavlik, who retired following 32 seasons as the leader of the Nittany Lions.
“We are thrilled to name Colin as the next head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Penn State,” Kraft said. “He has played an integral role in the team’s success at the conference and national level in his nearly two decades working with Coach Pavlik. His dedication to the program and his commitment to developing student-athletes at the collegiate level made him an easy choice to ensure Penn State continues to compete as a championship-caliber team.”
McMillan recently finished his 19th season on the Penn State staff, including 10 seasons as the associate head coach. He arrived in Happy Valley in the fall of 2007, just months before a season in which the Nittany Lions went on to win the second national title in program history. In addition to the national championship, McMillan has been a part of 14 EIVA Tournament titles and nine trips to the NCAA Final Four.
Penn State has had a long line of elite middle blockers under McMillan’s tutelage. Max Holt played his final two seasons with McMillan on staff and was a first-team All-American in each of those seasons. He went on to be a three-time Olympian with Team USA and won bronze medals at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2024 Games in Paris. Including Holt, Penn State has had four middle blockers combine for 11 All-America honors during McMillan’s time in Happy Valley. Most recently, Owen Rose was named an All-American for a third time after leading the nation in blocks/set during the 2026 season.
"I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to be the next head coach of Penn State Men's Volleyball,” McMillan said. “To continue the legacy established by Coach (Tom)Tait, Coach (Tom) Peterson and Coach Pavlik is a huge responsibility that I look forward to taking on. I would like to thank Dr. Kraft and the administration for believing in our staff to lead this program and build upon the great foundation laid by all those that have come before us."
McMillan’s 20th season at Penn State will be as the team’s head coach as he looks to continue the program’s current momentum. He has been a key component in the team’s four straight EIVA Tournament titles, including this past season in which the Nittany Lions swept Princeton in the championship match for the second-straight year.
"I am so grateful and so fortunate to have worked alongside Colin for the last 19 years,” Pavlik said. “He has been an outstanding role model for our guys as a coach, father and husband. His integrity, compassion and leadership have served our program so well. He has helped to mold many minds and lives - mine included. Now, as he becomes the next head coach of Penn State Men's Volleyball, I am thrilled to know our program will continue to improve. He knows and understands better than anyone the culture of this program, our student-athletes and the traditions which make this team special to all who came before. The future of Penn State Men's Volleyball is in great hands!"
In addition to his two decades of collegiate coaching experience, McMillan provides the mind of a top-level athlete. He was a four-time All-MIVA selection as a 6-11 middle hitter at Ohio State, where he graduated in 2000 as a double major in international business and marketing. He was named to the 2000 National Collegiate Championship All-Tournament Team after leading the Buckeyes to a national runner-up finish. He then got his collegiate coaching career started as a graduate assistant in Columbus in 2003.
McMillan also has experience as a player and coach on the international volleyball scene. He trained within the United States National pipeline and competed internationally for various clubs around the world. He was a member of the 2001 United States team that captured the gold medal at the World University Games in Beijing. McMillan later coached internationally with USA Volleyball. Most recently, he served as an assistant for Team USA during its run to a gold medal at the NORCECA Men’s Final Six in Gatineau, Canada.
THE ASYLUM
McMillan named men's volleyball coach
Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft announced Wednesday the naming of Colin McMillan as the fourth head coach in the 50-year history of Penn State men’s volleyball. McMillan will succeed current head coach Mark Pavlik, who retired following 32 seasons as the leader of the Nittany Lions.
“We are thrilled to name Colin as the next head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Penn State,” Kraft said. “He has played an integral role in the team’s success at the conference and national level in his nearly two decades working with Coach Pavlik. His dedication to the program and his commitment to developing student-athletes at the collegiate level made him an easy choice to ensure Penn State continues to compete as a championship-caliber team.”
McMillan recently finished his 19th season on the Penn State staff, including 10 seasons as the associate head coach. He arrived in Happy Valley in the fall of 2007, just months before a season in which the Nittany Lions went on to win the second national title in program history. In addition to the national championship, McMillan has been a part of 14 EIVA Tournament titles and nine trips to the NCAA Final Four.
Penn State has had a long line of elite middle blockers under McMillan’s tutelage. Max Holt played his final two seasons with McMillan on staff and was a first-team All-American in each of those seasons. He went on to be a three-time Olympian with Team USA and won bronze medals at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2024 Games in Paris. Including Holt, Penn State has had four middle blockers combine for 11 All-America honors during McMillan’s time in Happy Valley. Most recently, Owen Rose was named an All-American for a third time after leading the nation in blocks/set during the 2026 season.
"I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to be the next head coach of Penn State Men's Volleyball,” McMillan said. “To continue the legacy established by Coach (Tom) Tait, Coach (Tom) Peterson and Coach Pavlik is a huge responsibility that I look forward to taking on. I would like to thank Dr. Kraft and the administration for believing in our staff to lead this program and build upon the great foundation laid by all those that have come before us."
McMillan’s 20th season at Penn State will be as the team’s head coach as he looks to continue the program’s current momentum. He has been a key component in the team’s four straight EIVA Tournament titles, including this past season in which the Nittany Lions swept Princeton in the championship match for the second-straight year.
"I am so grateful and so fortunate to have worked alongside Colin for the last 19 years,” Pavlik said. “He has been an outstanding role model for our guys as a coach, father and husband. His integrity, compassion and leadership have served our program so well. He has helped to mold many minds and lives - mine included. Now, as he becomes the next head coach of Penn State Men's Volleyball, I am thrilled to know our program will continue to improve. He knows and understands better than anyone the culture of this program, our student-athletes and the traditions which make this team special to all who came before. The future of Penn State Men's Volleyball is in great hands!"
In addition to his two decades of collegiate coaching experience, McMillan provides the mind of a top-level athlete. He was a four-time All-MIVA selection as a 6-11 middle hitter at Ohio State, where he graduated in 2000 as a double major in international business and marketing. He was named to the 2000 National Collegiate Championship All-Tournament Team after leading the Buckeyes to a national runner-up finish. He then got his collegiate coaching career started as a graduate assistant in Columbus in 2003.
McMillan also has experience as a player and coach on the international volleyball scene. He trained within the United States National pipeline and competed internationally for various clubs around the world. He was a member of the 2001 United States team that captured the gold medal at the World University Games in Beijing. McMillan later coached internationally with USA Volleyball. Most recently, he served as an assistant for Team USA during its run to a gold medal at the NORCECA Men’s Final Six in Gatineau, Canada.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!