Duke University hired American University volleyball head coach Ahen Kim to the same role on Jan. 12, 2026. Kim joins the Blue Devils after his best season, posting a 24-5 record and winning a Patriot League championship.
The Eagles went 64-25 during Kim’s three seasons as the head coach of the Eagles. His latest saw the Eagles clinch their 17th Patriot League title in program history and an NCAA Tournament berth.
American swept the conference awards in 2025, taking home all five honors on Nov. 17, 2025. This included a Barry Goldberg Coaching Staff of the Year award for Kim and his staff. Kim’s team went 15-1 in Patriot League play in 2025, only dropping the team’s first conference match to the Colgate Raiders on Sept. 19, 2025.
“We are incredibly grateful to Ahen for everything he has given to American University volleyball,” said American University Director of Athletics and Recreation JM Caparro in a statement. “His connection to this program runs deep…We wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”
Duke went 5-26 in the 2025 season, finishing last in the Atlantic Coastal Conference’s standings. The Blue Devils have not won the conference since 2013. The head coaching position opened up when long-time head coach Jolene Nagel retired on Dec. 1, 2025 after 27 seasons with the team.
“I'm forever grateful to American University Volleyball and will cherish the time I've had coaching here both as an Assistant and as Head Coach,” Kim said in a statement. “It has been an honor to serve the program after Coach Barry, and I am extremely proud of the work by our student-athletes and staff to restore its competitive legacy.”
American will conduct a national search for its next volleyball coach.
This article was edited by Jack Stashower and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman.
