- 6th year as UNE Head Coach (2025); 48-49 after 4 seasons [Year-by-Year]
- 19th year as NCAA head coach; 241-226 after 17 seasons
Ian Blanchard was named the second head coach in the history of UNE women's volleyball in June 2020, however the team did not compete during the 2020-21 academic year. After a 14-9 overall mark in 2023, the 2024 Nor'easters recorded their most wins in a season since 2010, going 19-7. UNE also had its first winning conference ledger since 2013 during the last season.
He joined 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 [NCAA 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 (.654 at 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 NCAA 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.
Previous NCAA Head Coaching:
University of Maryland-Baltimore County (2005-17)
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