John Speraw named men’s volleyball coach at UCLA

John Speraw, who coached UC Irvine to the 2012 NCAA men’s volleyball championship, was named UCLA’s head coach Tuesday.

“We are excited to welcome John Speraw back to Westwood to take the reins of the men’s volleyball program,” Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said. “After winning three national titles as a head coach at UC Irvine and two as a player at UCLA, he certainly knows what it takes to win at the highest level. In addition, as a former Bruin assistant coach and student-athlete, he knows first-hand the values and ideals we hold near and dear as an athletic department and as an institution.”

Speraw, 40, assumes the duties of his collegiate mentor, Al Scates, who is retiring after 50 years as the Bruins’ head coach.

“I’m confident that John Speraw is the right man to lead UCLA men’s volleyball into the next era,” Scates said. “He has proven himself to be an outstanding coach both collegiately and internationally. UCLA is privileged to have him.”

Speraw has also been successful on the international level, serving as an assistant coach with the United States men’s team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In May, the U.S. men qualified for the 2012 Games in London, and Speraw will serve as assistant coach once again.

“It is a great honor to be asked to lead one of the greatest programs in NCAA sports history,” said Speraw. “Al Scates is a great friend and mentor. I hope to continue his legacy of producing great championship teams.

“As I walked around campus last week, I remembered why I chose UCLA years ago. I love the campus,” Speraw said. “I love the people at UCLA and the values that we share. I loved my experiences as a student-athlete and a young coach and am very much looking forward to my experiences as a head coach at my alma mater. This is indeed home and I am excited to be back.”

Speraw played middle blocker for the Bruins from 1990 to 1995 and was a member of two national championship teams.

ETC.

Mike Garrett hired as AD at Langston University

Former USC athletic director Mike Garrett has been hired to fill the same position at Langston University, a historically black college in central Oklahoma.

Langston President Kent Smith Jr. announced that Garrett will fill the position left vacant when Patric Simon became the AD at Alcorn State.

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Galaxy forward Edson Buddle and midfielder Dan Keat are expected to miss three to six weeks after each underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged meniscus in their right knees. Buddle, who is tied for second on the team with two goals, had his procedure performed Monday, four days after Keat.

Defender Leonardo, who hasn’t played in an MLS game in 14 months, had an MRI exam performed on his right knee, which he reinjured in a Reserve League game last week. The exam showed no structural damage but there is no timetable for his return.

— Kevin Baxter

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Jackie Traina pitched a complete game and knocked in three runs, and Alabama held off a seventh-inning rally by Oklahoma for an 8-6 victory to force a deciding third game in the College World Series of softball at Oklahoma City.

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The Montreal Canadiens hired Michel Therrien as their coach again. The 48-year-old returns to Montreal after coaching the team for parts of three seasons.

He was fired by the Canadiens during the 2002-03 season. Therrien coached the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2005 to 2009 and was fired in February of 2009.