MORAGA, Calif. — Hard at work to get prepped for the upcoming season, new Saint Mary's Head Volleyball Coach Tyler Hildebrand has finalized his coaching staff with the additions of Brian Cook, Colin Hassoun and Paige McLeod. Cook will serve as the team's Associate Head Coach, while Hassoun and McLeod will serve as assistant coaches. Hassoun will also shoulder the load as the team's recruiting coordinator. 

A former standout player for Stanford, Brian Cook makes his way to Moraga after a storied playing career. After being twice named a first team All-American as an outside hitter for the Cardinal, Cook spent three years overseas playing for the likes of Panathinaikos (Greece), Tonazzo Padova (Italy) and Azimut Modena (Italy). He also represented Team USA at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, won gold at the 2019 World Beach Games in Qatar, and spent three seasons playing on the AVP Pro Beach Tour. Cook has spent the past 8 years as a volunteer coach for top professional clubs around the world like Vakifbank (Istanbul), Imoco Conegliano (Italy), and LOVB Atlanta. He will now make his first endeavor into collegiate coaching as Coach Hildebrand's right hand man. 

"Brian brings knowledge gained from a bevy of playing and coaching experiences at the highest levels of the sport to Moraga," noted Head Coach Tyler Hildebrand, "We are so excited to have him back home in Northern California!" 

Colin Hassoun played collegiately at NAIA Powerhouse Vanguard University, and was a member of their 2023 National Title Winning Team. While he was playing at Vanguard, he coached for the Balboa Bay Volleyball Club. Continuing his coaching career, Hassoun went to graduate school at the University of Nebraska, where he served as a Graduate Assistant for the nationally renowned Cornhuskers Women's Volleyball team. Nebraska went 66-5 in the two seasons that Hassoun was on staff, and made it to the National Title Game in 2023. This gives Hassoun the unique designation of appearing in a National Title Game as a player (Vanguard, 2023) and a coach (Nebraska, 2023) in the same calendar year. Hassoun now will join fellow former Nebraska staffer Coach Hilldebrand in Moraga. 

"Colin brings energy, experience, and a deep love for the sport of volleyball," stated Coach Hildebrand on Hassoun, "We're fired up to have him join the Saint Mary's family. "

Rounding out the group of new coaches joining Coach Hildebrand's staff is Paige McLeod. McLeod played at Division III University of Redlands. After her graduation, McLeod joined both the club and prep coaching ranks, coaching for Inland Valley Force and at Arrowhead Christian High School. There, she not only coached volleyball, but also worked as an educator in the Special Education Department. McLeod will now take her first venture into coaching in the collegiate ranks for the Gaels. 

"With her passion, knowledge, and a strong commitment to developing athletes on and off the court, we know that Paige will make an immediate impact on our program," exclaimed Hildebrand on his newest assistant, "We're thrilled to have Paige join the Saint Mary's family."

Hildebrand, Cook, Hassoun and McLeod begin Spring competition this week, in prep for their first full season in Moraga, beginning this Fall. 

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