Coach Tomic to leave FIU, Athletics seeking replacement

Danijela Tomic, who has led FIU’s volleyball team to numerous records and history-making wins as head coach for seven years, will leave the university to serve as head coach at Bowling Green State University.

Photo: Richard Lewis for FIUSports.com.

During her time at FIU, the three-time Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year developed the blue-and-gold program into one of the finest – not only in the conference but the nation. She had an immediate impact on FIU’s program during her first season in 2005, as the Panthers displayed a 12-win turnaround from the previous season.

Under Tomic’s direction and following the team’s most recent campaign this year, the team notched seven consecutive winning seasons and four straight 20-win campaigns. Two years ago, she guided FIU to its most successful season in program history, as the Panthers went 32-4 overall and 17-0 in conference play, setting school records for both overall wins and Sun Belt victories.

The team earned its second-straight conference regular-season crown and went on to compete in its third overall and second-consecutive NCAA Tournament. In the process, Tomic compiled a career record of 158-61 en route to three Sun Belt regular-season titles and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. The coach’s 158 victories rank second all-time in Panther volleyball history and her career winning percentage of .721 ranks in the top-20 among active coaches.

“We want to thank Danijela for all that she has done here at FIU,” said FIU Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia. “Over the past seven years, FIU volleyball has become one of the premier programs in the conference and across the nation. Our focus now is to bring in the best candidate who will take FIU volleyball to even greater heights.”

For her part, Tomic said she is grateful for her time at FIU and that she hopes the blue-and-gold family will continue to support the team and her recruits.

“Miami has been my home for seven years and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the FIU family,” she said. “I am blessed to have worked with great players, coaches and supporters who helped me build FIU volleyball into a championship program and that is nationally recognized and respected.

“As I look forward to the next chapter in my career, I wish FIU the best of luck and I am confident that with the caliber of student-athletes at the university, the volleyball program will only continue to rise.”

Click here to read more about Tomic’s work at FIU.