University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Hire Arica Nassar as Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator
2/6/2026 10:19:00 AM | Volleyball
She comes to Minnesota after working at Kansas last season
A former star player at Oregon State University, Nassar joins the Gophers from the University of Kansas, where she spent one season with the new coaching staff in Lawrence. She helped the Jayhawks to a 24-11 (13-5 Big 12) season, making the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16.
"I'm thrilled to announce the hiring of Arica Nassar to the Minnesota volleyball program," head coach Keegan Cook said. "In Arica, our student-athletes are getting a coach who is experienced, passionate and connected to the young people under her mentorship. Within the search process, Arica's sincerity and commitment to recruiting and developing outstanding student-athletes was immediately clear. Arica has elevated every program she has competed and coached for and we're looking forward to her impact here at Minnesota."
Prior to KU, spent two seasons coaching with the Oregon Ducks. During her time there, Oregon went 53-14 and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2023 and the Sweet 16 in 2024. In 2024, Nassar coached a trio of AVCA All-Americans in Mimi Colyer (Second Team), Onye Ofoegbu (Third Team) and Michelle Ohwobete (Honorable Mention). Colyer and Ofoegbu were also All-Big Ten First Team selections, while Ohwobete earned Second Team honors. Â
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join coach Cook and the Minnesota volleyball program," Nassar said. "Minnesota's history of success, elite culture and fan support make this a special place. I'm excited to get to campus and work with both the staff and the student-athletes."
In her first season in Eugene, Nassar coached six Ducks, who earned All-America accolades, including Hannah Pukis, who earned First Team honors. The team went 29-6 overall and 16-4 in the Pac-12, advancing to the Elite Eight.Â
Before UO, Nassar spent five seasons on the Oregon State staff, including the final three (2020-22) as an assistant coach. Over those three seasons, Nassar coached a trio of All-Pac-12 performers.
After she played collegiately at Oregon State, Nassar went on to play professionally in Finland and Sweden. She began her coaching career at UCLA as a volunteer assistant, before moving on to Oregon State.
In college, she was one of just two players in OSU history with 1,000 career kills (1,033) and 500 blocks (540), Nassar ranks third all-time at the school in blocks, 13th in points (1,380), and 15th in kills. She led the Beavers in blocks per set in all four of her seasons.
Â
The Menifee, Calif., native played in over 100 matches during her four years with the Beavers and helped lead the team to the best season in program history as a senior in 2014. OSU posted 21 wins and tallied their first two NCAA Tournament wins, earning a trip to the Regional Semifinals.Â
Nassar will join the team this week for spring practice.