University of New Hampshire Athletics
Feliciano Named Volleyball Head Coach
3/12/2019 11:02:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Christopher Feliciano Recorded the Most Wins in Rider University History
DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire director of athletics Marty Scarano announced that Christopher Feliciano has been hired as the seventh head coach in Wildcat women's volleyball history.
Feliciano joins UNH from Rider University, where he served as the women's volleyball head coach the past eight seasons. Feliciano is the winningest coach in Rider history with 117 victories. The Broncs won 10-plus conference matches each of the last five years, and they have tallied at least 15 wins six consecutive seasons.
"We are excited to welcome Christopher Feliciano to the Wildcat family to take the reins of a women's volleyball program that reached great heights under his predecessor Jill Hirschinger," said UNH executive director of athletics Jon Danos. "Our nationwide search netted a number of outstanding candidates that reinforced the prestige of this position, and we feel Chris is a coach on the rise who has the makeup to continue our competitive excellence."
"I am both humbled and honored to be named the new head coach at UNH," Feliciano said. "Taking over a program that has a rich tradition of winning is exciting. Both the players and the staff will work tirelessly to continue this trend as we move towards a bright and invigorating future."
Feliciano, who received a master's degree in Athletic Leadership in May 2018, directed the Broncs to a record-setting season last fall in which they placed third in the MAAC with a program-record 12 conference wins. Rider advanced to the conference semifinals for the first time ever and finished with 19 wins, which is the highest total since 1994.
"During the interview process it became very clear that UNH is somewhere that I want to be," Feliciano stated. "Marty, Jon, and the hiring committee welcomed both my wife (Emily) and me with open arms. Family is extremely important to us, and after meeting everyone we left feeling that this is a place where my daughter (Ava Maria) could call home as well."
In his second season (2012) at Rider, the Broncs doubled their win total from the previous campaign and recorded the most wins (11) since 2004. In 2013, Feliciano led Rider to its most victories in a decade with the team improving its win total for the third season in a row. In 2014, Feliciano's squad registered the most wins (17) since the 1994 season and the sixth most wins in team history. In 2015, the Broncs qualified for the MAAC Tournament for the first time since 2004.
Prior to his arrival at Rider, Feliciano was an assistant coach at Fordham University for the 2010 season and helped the Rams win 17 matches.
Feliciano graduated from New Jersey City University in May 2003 and was immediately hired as the school's women's volleyball head coach. At the helm of the women's program through 2009, he compiled a 131-39 record for a .771 winning percentage. Feliciano also served as head coach of the men's program from 2004-07.
In 2009, Feliciano was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association "30 Under 30" list.
What People Say About Christopher Feliciano…
Don Harnum, Rider University athletic director
"Chris did a fantastic job of building the Rider volleyball program from one that had fallen on hard times prior to his arrival into a program that became very relevant and competitive in the MAAC. He is a young coach with great ambition who will work hard to build a program the UNH community can embrace. His teams represented Rider well in competition, in the classroom, and in the campus community."
Veronica Koval, Rider volleyball alumna (2016 MAAC Setter of the Year, school record holder for assists, head coach Southern Lehigh (Pa.) High School)
"5-25. To some that may just be a set of numbers. However, to Christopher Feliciano that was the record of the Rider volleyball program before he took over. After the course of three seasons he took a losing record and turned it into the best record in school history. I consider coach Feliciano to be one of the best technical coaches I have ever had. He made me the player and coach I am today. Rider will greatly miss the impact that Coach Feliciano has, however it is now time for another program to be blessed with his love and passion for the game."
Toby Rens, Georgetown University volleyball coach
"Congratulations to the University of New Hampshire for the hiring of Chris Feliciano to lead their volleyball program. Chris is a great teacher of the game and he's super passionate about our sport. Everyone at the University of New Hampshire will soon find out what the rest of the volleyball community already knows. Chris is a great recruiter, he's a student of the game and he cares for the student-athletes he coaches. Chris is certainly ready for this opportunity and I wish him all the best."
About UNH Volleyball
Under Jill Hirschinger, who announced her retirement Nov. 30, 2018, following a 23-year tenure as Wildcat head coach, the UNH volleyball program recorded nine 20-win seasons and seven America East Conference championships (1998, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). For more information on the UNH volleyball program, visit www.unhwildcats.com.
Feliciano joins UNH from Rider University, where he served as the women's volleyball head coach the past eight seasons. Feliciano is the winningest coach in Rider history with 117 victories. The Broncs won 10-plus conference matches each of the last five years, and they have tallied at least 15 wins six consecutive seasons.
"We are excited to welcome Christopher Feliciano to the Wildcat family to take the reins of a women's volleyball program that reached great heights under his predecessor Jill Hirschinger," said UNH executive director of athletics Jon Danos. "Our nationwide search netted a number of outstanding candidates that reinforced the prestige of this position, and we feel Chris is a coach on the rise who has the makeup to continue our competitive excellence."
"I am both humbled and honored to be named the new head coach at UNH," Feliciano said. "Taking over a program that has a rich tradition of winning is exciting. Both the players and the staff will work tirelessly to continue this trend as we move towards a bright and invigorating future."
Feliciano, who received a master's degree in Athletic Leadership in May 2018, directed the Broncs to a record-setting season last fall in which they placed third in the MAAC with a program-record 12 conference wins. Rider advanced to the conference semifinals for the first time ever and finished with 19 wins, which is the highest total since 1994.
"During the interview process it became very clear that UNH is somewhere that I want to be," Feliciano stated. "Marty, Jon, and the hiring committee welcomed both my wife (Emily) and me with open arms. Family is extremely important to us, and after meeting everyone we left feeling that this is a place where my daughter (Ava Maria) could call home as well."
In his second season (2012) at Rider, the Broncs doubled their win total from the previous campaign and recorded the most wins (11) since 2004. In 2013, Feliciano led Rider to its most victories in a decade with the team improving its win total for the third season in a row. In 2014, Feliciano's squad registered the most wins (17) since the 1994 season and the sixth most wins in team history. In 2015, the Broncs qualified for the MAAC Tournament for the first time since 2004.
Prior to his arrival at Rider, Feliciano was an assistant coach at Fordham University for the 2010 season and helped the Rams win 17 matches.
Feliciano graduated from New Jersey City University in May 2003 and was immediately hired as the school's women's volleyball head coach. At the helm of the women's program through 2009, he compiled a 131-39 record for a .771 winning percentage. Feliciano also served as head coach of the men's program from 2004-07.
In 2009, Feliciano was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association "30 Under 30" list.
What People Say About Christopher Feliciano…
Don Harnum, Rider University athletic director
"Chris did a fantastic job of building the Rider volleyball program from one that had fallen on hard times prior to his arrival into a program that became very relevant and competitive in the MAAC. He is a young coach with great ambition who will work hard to build a program the UNH community can embrace. His teams represented Rider well in competition, in the classroom, and in the campus community."
Veronica Koval, Rider volleyball alumna (2016 MAAC Setter of the Year, school record holder for assists, head coach Southern Lehigh (Pa.) High School)
"5-25. To some that may just be a set of numbers. However, to Christopher Feliciano that was the record of the Rider volleyball program before he took over. After the course of three seasons he took a losing record and turned it into the best record in school history. I consider coach Feliciano to be one of the best technical coaches I have ever had. He made me the player and coach I am today. Rider will greatly miss the impact that Coach Feliciano has, however it is now time for another program to be blessed with his love and passion for the game."
Toby Rens, Georgetown University volleyball coach
"Congratulations to the University of New Hampshire for the hiring of Chris Feliciano to lead their volleyball program. Chris is a great teacher of the game and he's super passionate about our sport. Everyone at the University of New Hampshire will soon find out what the rest of the volleyball community already knows. Chris is a great recruiter, he's a student of the game and he cares for the student-athletes he coaches. Chris is certainly ready for this opportunity and I wish him all the best."
About UNH Volleyball
Under Jill Hirschinger, who announced her retirement Nov. 30, 2018, following a 23-year tenure as Wildcat head coach, the UNH volleyball program recorded nine 20-win seasons and seven America East Conference championships (1998, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). For more information on the UNH volleyball program, visit www.unhwildcats.com.
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