BIDDEFORD, Maine -- University of New England Director of Athletics Heather Davis announced Tuesday (June 30) the hiring of Ian Blanchard as head coach of the women's volleyball program.

"I am thrilled to welcome Ian Blanchard to UNE," said Davis. "Ian's commitment to fostering positive team culture and focusing on player development led his previous programs to tremendous success. Further, he is deeply rooted in youth volleyball, both in New England and nationally. Ian is a teacher at heart and I am confident that he will do a fantastic job building upon the foundation of success achieved by our former head coach, Karol L'Heureux. I would like to thank the chair of our search committee, Patty Williams, and the other committee members for their efforts in conducting a comprehensive national search that included an extremely talented group of candidates."

He joins the UNE staff after spending the last three years directing and coaching between the East Coast Power North Volleyball Club in Massachusetts (2019-20) and the Masters Volleyball Academy Boys Volleyball Club in Maryland (2017-19).

Before that, Blanchard guided the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in NCAA Division I for 13 seasons (2005-17). The Retrievers posted a 193-177 overall record during that span, along with an 82-75 mark in America East Conference action. The program was in top four of the America East standings and reached the postseason tournament on eight occasions in 2006, 2008-13, and 2016, and made it to the championship match three times (2006, 2010, 2013). The 2016 group logged the highest overall winning percentage at .654 (17-9) under Blanchard, while the 2007 squad racked up 20 wins for the program's most in 10 years. UMBC had 25 all-conference performers during his tenure, along with seven Rookie of the Year honors, two Setter of the Year awards, and one Defensive Specialist of the Year.

Blanchard entered the collegiate ranks in 2002, leading the Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville [NJCAA II] to a 24-5 record. He then spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Towson University [NCAA I], as the Tigers qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2004.

Early in his career, he led successful club and high school programs in Maryland. For eight years (1997-2004), Blanchard directed the Orange Crush Volleyball Club, which went undefeated in its USA Volleyball region for five straight years. He led Dulaney High School to a 90-6 mark between 1997-2001, including back-to-back state championships and a couple Coach of the Year distinctions.

The Massachusetts native earned a 1988 bachelor's degree in mass communications from Westfield State College, where he played four seasons on the men's volleyball team. He also completed the education certification program at the University of Massachusetts in 1992.

Blanchard is excited to be a Nor'easter and begin working with the team.

"I want to thank Heather Davis for the opportunity to work at such an outstanding institution," commented Blanchard. "I have followed the progress of the university over the last several years. The amount of growth and improvement has been nothing short of incredible. The combination of outstanding facilities and a tremendous variety of academic programs positions the university as one of the premier schools in the northeast. I know I have huge shoes to fill following the legacy of Coach L'Heureux. I look forward to meeting the team through virtual meetings, and to learning from and collaborating with the coaches within the department."

Blanchard becomes the second head coach in program history, replacing L'Heureux, who retired in April after 40 years leading the program to 728 match victories.