Photo by: Samantha Blankenship (Ball State Creative Services)
Ball State Men's Volleyball Coach Donan Cruz Announces Resignation
June 27, 2025 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University men's volleyball coach Donan Cruz has resigned, stepping away from a head coaching post he has held since 2022. Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell has named Mike Iandolo, Cruz's assistant the past four seasons, as interim head coach.
"My family and I are incredibly grateful for our time at Ball State," said Cruz, who leaves the program with 81 wins. "While we're excited for the next chapter ahead, we will miss the amazing campus community that has meant so much to us. I want to thank President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for their leadership and support of Ball State Athletics. To the student-athletes, fellow peers, alumni, and passionate fans — thank you for your support and the love you've shown for Ball State Volleyball. It's been an honor to be part of this historic program!"
"I thank Coach Cruz for his oversight and guidance of our program the past four seasons," said Mitchell. "I wish him well in his future pursuits and, looking ahead, I am confident that Coach Iandolo will continue to showcase the excellence and consistency of our Ball State men's volleyball program."
Cruz arrived at Ball State following a decorated 10-year tenure at NAIA Grand View University. At Ball State, he charted the Cardinals to a 23-4 overall record and No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament in his first season – in what was Ball State's first visit to the NCAA Tournament since 2002. He became the second coach in program history to earn AVCA National Coach of the Year honors and helped restore Ball State's historic tradition.
Under Cruz's guidance, Ball State finished 20-9 in 2023, 21-10 in 2024 and 17-13 last season, remaining one of the top programs in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and reaching at least the MIVA semifinals in three of his four seasons. Cruz and the Cardinals won three MIVA regular season championships and reached the 2022 NCAA Final Four.
Iandolo, no stranger to the MIVA, was a two-time All-MIVA first team selection as a setter at Lewis University. He was the head coach at the University of Charleston (W.Va.) for three seasons (2019-21) prior to joining Cruz at Ball State. Following his graduation and a grad assistant coaching post at Lewis, he coached club volleyball and played internationally before being named an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University for the 2018 season.
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"My family and I are incredibly grateful for our time at Ball State," said Cruz, who leaves the program with 81 wins. "While we're excited for the next chapter ahead, we will miss the amazing campus community that has meant so much to us. I want to thank President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for their leadership and support of Ball State Athletics. To the student-athletes, fellow peers, alumni, and passionate fans — thank you for your support and the love you've shown for Ball State Volleyball. It's been an honor to be part of this historic program!"
"I thank Coach Cruz for his oversight and guidance of our program the past four seasons," said Mitchell. "I wish him well in his future pursuits and, looking ahead, I am confident that Coach Iandolo will continue to showcase the excellence and consistency of our Ball State men's volleyball program."
Cruz arrived at Ball State following a decorated 10-year tenure at NAIA Grand View University. At Ball State, he charted the Cardinals to a 23-4 overall record and No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament in his first season – in what was Ball State's first visit to the NCAA Tournament since 2002. He became the second coach in program history to earn AVCA National Coach of the Year honors and helped restore Ball State's historic tradition.
Under Cruz's guidance, Ball State finished 20-9 in 2023, 21-10 in 2024 and 17-13 last season, remaining one of the top programs in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and reaching at least the MIVA semifinals in three of his four seasons. Cruz and the Cardinals won three MIVA regular season championships and reached the 2022 NCAA Final Four.
Iandolo, no stranger to the MIVA, was a two-time All-MIVA first team selection as a setter at Lewis University. He was the head coach at the University of Charleston (W.Va.) for three seasons (2019-21) prior to joining Cruz at Ball State. Following his graduation and a grad assistant coaching post at Lewis, he coached club volleyball and played internationally before being named an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University for the 2018 season.
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