After four years at Duke, Linda Grensing decided she wanted to go home.
The Davenport, Iowa native left the University June 24 to become the head coach at Iowa State. In her four years at Duke, Grensing posted a 47-66 record with the Blue Devils.
"It is great to be here at Iowa State; it is great to be back in Iowa," Grensing said at her new school in Ames, Iowa. "I am excited to be here."
Three weeks later, Duke Athletics Director Joe Alleva hired Georgetown's Jolene Nagel to replace Grensing as the new head coach. Nagel joins the Blue Devils after seven seasons with the Hoyas.
"I'm thrilled to be the next volleyball coach at Duke University," she said in a statement released through the school. "The opportunity to work at a school like Duke that balances academics and athletics is an environment I've always aspired and worked to be in."
With the hiring of Nagel, the volleyball program is getting an experienced coaching veteran. She has 11 years of head coaching experience and has compiled a 204-134 career record.
"We are extremely pleased to have added to our staff such an experienced and quality coach," Alleva said. "Jolene will bring new enthusiasm and national success to our program.
Nagel is coming off her most successful season ever, leading Georgetown to a 24-6 overall record, including 10-1 in the Big East. The Hoyas were ranked No. 1 in District I all year and Nagel earned Big East and District I coach of the year honors.
Georgetown was the Big East co-champion and received a bid to the NCAA tournament, both firsts in Hoyas history.
Prior to taking the head job at Georgetown, Nagel spent four seasons leading Cornell, where she posted an 86-36 overall record.
The job vacancy at Duke was created when Grensing resigned and moved back to Iowa. At her press conference last month, she cited Iowa State's commitment to the program as one of the largest factors in her decision.
"The biggest reason [I came] is the vision and leadership for the future of the program," Grensing said. "I think that the commitment that Iowa State has made in regards to the direction of this program is something that was enticing and something I am looking forward to being a part of."
Grensing took the head coaching job at Duke in 1995 and posted a 7-18 record in her first year. The very next year would be her best with the Blue Devils, as Duke went 15-12, including 10-6 in the ACC. That year, Duke has three All-ACC selections and finished third in the conference.
Last season, the Blue Devils suffered a disappointing 9-20 season and earned just four conference wins.
Grensing is no stranger to the Cyclones. She served as an assistant coach for Iowa State for three years between 1988-1990.
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