CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball program is set for new heights as head coach Danijela Tomić announced two significant additions to her coaching staff on Tuesday morning. Alison Cooke and Sean Drexl are joining the Bearcats, each bringing years of experience and proven success from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). With these hires, Cincinnati hopes to rise to new challenges within the competitive arena of the Big 12 Conference.
Alison Cooke, who served as the associate head coach at BGSU for the past eight seasons, joins Cincinnati with impressive credentials. Under her leadership, the Falcons soared to remarkable achievements, including back-to-back Mid-American Conference (MAC) Defensive Player of the Year awards and MAC Player of the Year accolades for libero Kallie Seimet during her tenure. Cooke expressed her excitement about the move, stating, "I am grateful for Coach Tomić’s trust in me and feel privileged to take the next step in our careers together. The passion for this university is palpable, and I am looking forward to connecting more with our community. Go Bearcats!"
During her time at BGSU, Cooke was instrumental in guiding the Falcons to multiple championships, including three MAC regular season titles from 2017, 2018, and 2024, and two MAC Tournament crowns spanning 2020-21 and 2022. The program also made five consecutive MAC Tournament Championship appearances from 2019 to 2023, marking the longest streak seen over the last decade. Cooke previously served as a volunteer assistant coach at Duke, where she also made significant contributions to their success.
Sean Drexl joins as well, coming off two successful seasons as the director of volleyball operations at BGSU. His experience working alongside Tomić has prepared him for this new challenge at Cincinnati, where he hopes to have a meaningful impact on the program. Drexl stated, "I am incredibly eager to aid Coach Tomić in bolstering Cincinnati volleyball’s position in the Big 12 Conference and community alike."
Drexl played collegiately as a libero at the University of Charleston, earning recognition as part of the All-Conference EIVA Second Team. He is no stranger to the coaching world, having previously worked as an assistant coach at Presbyterian College and Georgia Southern, contributing to scouting, film review, and match preparation.
Collectively, these additions are seen as pivotal for Cincinnati volleyball, especially following last season's challenges, where the team finished 14-15 with a 5-13 record within the Big 12 play. The Bearcats are optimistic about turning the tide under the new coaching staff. Tomić remarked, "I am thrilled to announce Ali and Sean as the newest members of our coaching staff. Their character, work ethic, growth mindset, attention to detail, and passion for the game make them a tremendous addition to our program." Both Cooke and Drexl's previous success could prove to be invaluable as they transition to support Cincinnati's ambitions.
With the leadership of Coach Tomić and her new staff, Cincinnati volleyball is clearly setting its eyes on not only improving its Big 12 standing but also fostering individual growth among its student-athletes. They aim to build strong relationships and empower their players to develop both on and off the court, promoting the core values of strength, intelligence, and success.
The 2024 season will undoubtedly mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Cincinnati volleyball, as they work to establish their identity within the Big 12 Conference. Cooke and Drexl's commitments are seen as key components to building this new culture of excellence.
With anticipation building, Cincinnati's volleyball community looks forward to what lies ahead. The synergy between Tomić, Cooke, and Drexl is expected to be pivotal as they work together to transform the program and strengthen its presence at the collegiate level.