Ken Shibuya, an assistant with the Stanford men's volleyball team since 2006, is in his second season as the Cardinal's associate head coach.
Shibuya, who has a strong coaching background at the international level,has been a key figure in the Cardinal's rise to prominence and inits 2010 NCAA championship.
In August 2011, Shibuya was the head coach of the U.S. Youth National Team that finished 11th at the FIVB Boys' Youth World Championship in Argentina, a team that included Stanford recruit James Shaw. Earlier, the Shibuya-coached U.S. team was third at the Pan American Cup (under 19) in Mexicali, Mexico.
Shibuya also has beenactive coaching at the USA Volleyball High Performance championships for the top young players in the country.
Shibuya has handled much of the scouting, game-planning and recruiting for the Cardinal. His vast knowledge of the game belies his volleyball origins. Shibuya never touched a volleyball until he was a student at University of Virginia, but quickly made up for lost time with his appreciation, passion and knowledge for the game.
Shibuya's 24-year collegiate coaching journey began during his undergraduate days. He was instrumental in starting Virginia's first men's club team, before assisting the Cavaliers' women's varsity from 1990-94.
Shibuya established himself as a head coach in the small-college ranks, first with the women's team at Sweet Briar (Va.) College from 1994-95, where he set a school mark for consecutive victories.
He then led the Christopher Newport women to their best success. The Newport News, Va., program had one 20-win season in 21 years until Shibuya led the Captains to three consecutive 20-win seasons (1999-2001), capturing the 2001 Dixie Conference title with the school's first undefeated conference season, and reaching the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time in school history. Twice during his four seasons, he was named conference coach of the year.
He next took over the men's team at Juniata College (Huntingdon, Pa.) in 2002 and led the Eagles to three consecutive Molten Division III Invitational national titles (2004-2006). Shibuya coached two national players of the year and was named AVCA Division III Coach of the Year in 2004.
Shibuya has been part of the coaching staff of the USA Boys Youth team since 2003 - he served as an assistant for the 2005 U.S. Youth National Team -- and has headed U.S. development camps. In 2002, he served on Kosty's staff at the boys High Performance camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He also is the lead coach for the Bay to Bay Volleyball Club, with a specific assignment of the 17 Black team.