Jon Killingbeck was hired in March 2016 as the head women's volleyball coach for Saint Martin's University and will be entering his fourth year as head coach. In three seasons, Killingbeck has coached three All-Conference players, 21 Academic All-Conference players and a 2017 GNAC Team All-Academic award.
During his third season with the Saints, Killingbeck coached two All-Conference players in Megan Vernoy and Rachel Gondrezick, the first time in the program history with multiple All-Conference players in one season. The highlight of the season included the school's first ever win over Northwest Nazarene, snapping a 37-game losing streak against the Nighthawks. Six members of the Volleyball earned Academic All-Conference honors, and the team finished second in the GNAC in terms of cumulative GPA at 3.69. Emily Gooding and Bridgette Bourgouin each were named a GNAC FAR award recipient.
In his second season, Killingbeck took the Saints' volleyball program to new heights, winning a school record nine games and four conference games. Killingbeck coached GNAC All-Conference selection Rebecca Mitchell, who was the first Saint to record 300+ kills and 300+ digs in a single season. The Saints also excelled in the classroom, being named to the AVCA Team Academic List and seven Saints to the GNAC All-Academic team.
In his first season, Killingbeck led the Saints' program to a five-win improvement.
Killingbeck has spent the past five seasons with Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, where in his first season turned the program around to a 20-win season. He also set the school record for conference wins of 13, had four all-conference players and two all-rookie selections.
"I'd like to thank Athletic Director
Bob Grisham, Dean of Students Melanie Richardson, the search committee, and the players for this great opportunity," Killingbeck said. "I have been lucky to work with many amazing people at Iona College and they will always hold a special place in my heart. But the opportunity to come home and grow this volleyball program to match the greatness that is Saint Martin's University, was not something I could pass up."
Before heading to Iona, Killingbeck spent the 2011 spring season at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., and before CBC spent one season as an assistant coach at Arizona Western College in Yuma (AWC), Arizona. He was responsible for assisting in all aspects of the program including recruiting, film editing, strength and conditioning and practice and game planning. Killingbeck joined the AWC staff after working as the lead assistant coach at Division III Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., where he assisted with recruiting efforts, film study, strength training, and practice organization.
Before his stint at Whitman, Killingbeck served as an assistant coach and director of volleyball operations at Seattle University where he assisted with recruiting, scouting, and video editing. While at SU, Killingbeck earned a master's degree in sports administration and leadership, graduating with honors in the summer of 2009.
Killingbeck began his coaching career while earning a Bachelor of Science in geology from Central Washington University (CWU). He served as a volunteer assistant coach for two seasons, helping with practice, winter and spring workouts, and video editing. While he was at CWU, the Wildcats reached the NCAA playoffs both seasons.
Killingbeck spent four years gaining additional experience as head coach of four different club organizations.
