RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Dipen Patel was named the University of Wisconsin-River Falls head volleyball coach on Monday, Feb. 21, as announced by Athletics Director Crystal Lanning.
Patel brings over nine years of coaching experience, including positions at the Division I, II, and III levels. Most recently, Patel was the lead assistant coach at fellow WIAC member University of Wisconsin-La Crosse since 2019, where he helped guide the Eagles to a pair of WIAC Tournament appearances while receiving the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 Award. During his time in La Crosse, Patel also was the V-Hawk Extreme Volleyball head club coach and led the 2021 team to a 32-15 record and first place finish at the Chicago Jr. National Tournament.
"I am honored and extremely grateful to have been chosen to lead the UW-River Falls volleyball program," said Patel. "Ever since my first time on campus in 2019 as an opponent at the time, I always thought this would be a place I would like to call home. Throughout the entire process, my opinions and beliefs were confirmed. From the facilities, administration, support staff, and team, it was clear that UW-River Falls is a special place. I'm thankful to Crystal Lanning and the rest of the athletic administration for their support of the volleyball program and for entrusting me to lead this program."
Before his time at UW-La Crosse, Patel had coaching stints at the high school and club level, including positions at San Francisco State University, Eastern Illinois University, and USA Volleyball.
"I am excited to welcome Coach Patel to UW-River Falls to lead the women's volleyball program," Lanning commented. "He brings valuable playing and coaching experience from all levels of competitive volleyball, including within the WIAC, and his past experience will allow him to successfully lead the Falcon volleyball team."
At Eastern Illinois as a graduate assistant coach, he was responsible for scouting, developing game strategies, and assisting in recruiting. Patel was the head girls' volleyball coach at Mattoon (Ill.) High School in 2018, leading the team to a 28-9 varsity record and winning three tournament titles while advancing to the regional championship. He was also the head coach of Club 217 with a 32-12 record and top-30 finish at the AAU National Championships.
Patel began his coaching career at his high school alma mater in 2011. He served as head volleyball coach, administrative assistant and camp director at Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy in Pleasant Hill, Calif., from 2012-17. Other coaching experience includes Albany (Calif.) High School (varsity head coach) and College Park (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) High School (varsity assistant and head coach). Patel led the No. 2-ranked team in the country to back-to-back National Championships in USA Volleyball's Open Division in 2014 and 2015.
"Since 2012, my first year entering coaching, I have dreamt of working towards becoming a head coach of a collegiate program," Patel mentioned. "Ten years ago, I started my journey which included adjustments to my academic and professional career to best serve me for this upcoming opportunity. I am extremely excited to call UW-River Falls my next home."
A California native, Patel graduated from San Francisco State in 2017 before earning a master's degree in Kinesiology and Sports Studies at Eastern Illinois in 2019.
