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Rich Feller, in his ninth season in Berkeley, is undoubtedly the most successful women's volleyball coach in California history. From the moment he first stepped on campus in 1999, Feller has been able to craft the Golden Bears into a Pac-10 contender and a national powerhouse. The facts speak for themselves - a school-record five consecutive postseason appearances, three 20-win seasons in the past five years, two NCAA round of 16 appearances and three different All-America selections.
Since leading Cal to its first NCAA appearance in 13 years in 2002, Feller has firmly established the Bears as a top tier team in the toughest volleyball conference in the nation - the Pac-10. Last season he led Cal to its second-ever NCAA Regional after the Bears defeated LSU and host Cal Poly, respectively, in the NCAA first and second rounds in San Luis Obispo. Feller then brought his squad to an NCAA Regional in Austin, Texas, where Cal lost three close games to No. 2-ranked Stanford to conclude the year 22-10. Under Feller's leadership, the Bears have not only made the NCAAs five straight times, they have won five straight NCAA first-round matches.
Now 438-267 (.621) overall in 22 years as a college coach and 139-100 (.582) in eight years as Cal's mentor, Feller has his 2007 squad poised for another postseason appearance. Beyond taking the Bears to the postseason, he generated excitement in the local volleyball community by enabling Cal to host the NCAA first and second rounds at Haas Pavilion during the 2003 and 2004 campaigns. He has also helped develop three All-Americans at Cal - Mia Jerkov, Camille Leffall and senior standout Angie Pressey.
The 2003 campaign was especially sweet for the veteran coach as Feller guided the Bears to a 25-7 record and the school's first-ever NCAA round of 16 berth with victories over Saint Mary's and Michigan. Cal had the best single-season winning percentage (.793) in school history, captured a school-record 12 Pac-10 matches and posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1981-83. The Bears also won 16 consecutive matches to start that year, defeated Stanford for the first time since 1982 and earned their highest national ranking ever (No. 5 on Oct. 13, 2003).
The accomplishments of the Bears' coach and his staff did not go unnoticed as Feller was named both the 2003 Pacific Region Co-Coach of the Year and Pac-10 Coach of the Year. He was the first Cal volleyball coach to garner regional coach of the year honors, and was the first Bear mentor selected for league coaching honors since Chris Stanley was NorPac Conference Coach of the Year in 1982.
Before arriving at Berkeley, Feller was an assistant coach for the United States Women's National Volleyball Team from 1997-98. Prior to his stint as an USA National Team assistant, he was a highly successful head coach at Colorado State. In his 14 years directing the Rams, Feller compiled a 299-167 (.642) record with eight NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference titles, 12 Top-25 rankings and several All-America, all-conference and all-academic athletes. In Feller's first season at Colorado State in 1983, he led his team to a 26-12 record, a Top-20 ranking and a NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time in school history. In 1987, Feller was named AVCA Regional Coach of the Year.
From 1980-83, Feller was the top assistant to Taras Liskevych (USA Olympic coach from 1985-96 and current Oregon State coach) at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, helping the Tigers to second, fourth and fifth-place national finishes in his three years with the program.
Growing up in Palo Alto, Feller already had ties to the Bay Area before arriving at Cal in 1999. His father, David, earned his Ph.D. at Cal and his mother, Bernice, was a Cal undergraduate.
"The opportunity to coach at Cal and to have the challenge of competing in the Pac-10 Conference was a dream come true," said Feller. "Any coach who is involved in college volleyball would relish the chance to coach in the Pac-10 and to come to Cal. One of my goals was to coach in the Pac-10. Working at Cal is one of the best jobs in the nation."
Feller, 56, who earned his bachelor's degree in recreation administration from San Diego State in 1973, lives in the Montclair District of the Oakland Hills with his wife, Stacey. He has three children - Evan (23), Ashleigh (21) and Ryan (19); and a stepson, Brad Bertolet (21).
FELLER FACTS...
In 2006, led Cal to the postseason for the fifth consecutive year and advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 for the second time in school history, finishing the year 22-10. The Bears defeated LSU and Cal Poly in the NCAA first and second rounds before falling to Stanford in the NCAA Regional in Austin, Texas. Angie Pressey was second-team All-America, All-Pacific Region and All-Pac-10; while Jillian Davis, Morgan Beck and Ellen Orchard were honorable mention all-conference, and Hana Cutura was a member of the Pac-10 All-Freshman team.
In 2005, won 400th career match and notched 100th Cal victory. Bears were 19-11 and 10-8 in the Pac-10, qualifying for the NCAAs for a school-record fourth consecutive year. Cal defeated UCLA and USC in the same weekend for the first time in school history, and topped Valparaiso in the NCAA first round in Madison, Wis. Sophomore outside hitter Angie Pressey was first-team All-Pac-10 for second year-in-a-row.
In 2004, Cal was 17-12 and 11-7 in the Pac-10, qualifying for the NCAAs and hosting the first and second rounds in Haas Pavilion for the second consecutive year. The Bears upset two-time defending national champion USC in Los Angeles, and 2004 NCAA champs Stanford at Haas Pavilion, before upending Pacific in the NCAA first round. Senior middle hitter Camille Leffall was an AVCA second-team All-American, while outside hitter Angie Pressey was Cal's first freshman to earn both first-team All-Pac-10 and the Pac-10 All-Freshman team honors.
In 2003, was selected both Pacific Region Co-Coach of the Year and Pac-10 Coach of the Year as the No. 12 ranked Bears finished 25-7 and advanced to the NCAA round of 16 for the first time in school history. Led by All-American Mia Jerkov, Cal captured a school-record 12 Pac-10 matches, had the best winning percentage in school history (.781) and posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1981-83. The Bears won 16 consecutive matches to start the season, defeated Stanford for the first time since 1982 and earned its highest national ranking ever (No. 5, Oct. 13, 2003). Cal won NCAA first and second round matches with victories over Saint Mary's and Michigan at Haas Pavilion, before falling to Georgia Tech, 3-1, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 2002, the Bears qualified for the NCAAs for the first time since 1989 with a 20-12 record, the school's best mark since 1983, and advancing to the NCAA second round. The Bears started the season 9-0, winning a school record 27 consecutive games. Cal captured three tournaments, with All-American Mia Jerkov, the Bears' first All-America selection since 1983, earning all-tournament honors in the three competitions.
In 2001, the Bears (10-18, 3-15) set a school record with a .467 team hitting percentage at San Francisco, and featured Camille Leffall, who was a member of the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team, the first Bear frosh to earn the honor since Kelli Alva in 1996.
In 2000, the Bears were 13-15, giving Cal its best back-to-back campaigns since 1988 and 1989. The Bears captured their first tournament since 1997, winning the Albuturkey Classic in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In first year at Cal (1999), the Bears were the most improved team in the Pac-10 at 13-15, 7-11. Cal's 13 wins were the most since 1995, and the seven conference victories were the most since 1991. Cal was sixth in the Pac-10, its highest placing since 1991.
Was assistant coach for Mick Haley and the USA Women's National Volleyball Team from 1997-98. Led Colorado State to a 299-167 (.642) record in 14 years (1983-96) with eight NCAA berths, eight 20-win seasons, five NCAA first round victories, two conference titles, 12 Top 25 rankings and four All-Americans.
In first year at Colorado State (1983) guided the Rams to a 26-12 record, a Top 20 ranking and the school's first NCAA berth, earning AVCA Regional Coach of the Year honors.
Was top assistant to Tara Liskevych (USA Olympic coach from 1985-96) at Pacific from 1980-83, helping the Tigers to second, fourth and fifth-place national finishes.
After earning bachelor's degree in recreation administration from San Diego State in 1973, began coaching at the high school level in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Feller's Coaching MilestonesWin No. 1 Idaho State, Sept. 3, 1983 W 3-0
Win No. 50 Wyoming, Nov. 13, 1984 W 3-1
Win No. 100 Utah, Oct. 17, 1986 W 3-1
Win No. 150 Iowa State, Nov. 11, 1988 W 3-0
Win No. 200 Louisville, Oct. 5, 1991 W 3-0
Win No. 250 Pepperdine, Sept. 16, 1994 W 3-1
Win No. 300 Denver, Sept. 4, 1999 W 3-1
Win No. 350 Oregon, Oct. 26, 2002 W 3-2
Win No. 400 Morgan State, Sept. 3, 2005 W 3-0
Feller's Coaching Record 1983 Colorado State 26-12 6-4/2nd HCAC NCAA (0-1) 1984 Colorado State 27-9 12-0/1st HCAC NCAA (1-1) 1985 Colorado State 26-9 11-1/1st HCAC NCAA (1-1) 1986 Colorado State 27-12 7-5/2nd tie HCAC NCAA (0-1) 1987 Colorado State 27-6 9-3/2nd HCAC NCAA (1-1) 1988 Colorado State 22-12 9-3/2nd tie HCAC NCAA (1-1) 1989 Colorado State 16-14 6-6/4th HCAC 1990 Colorado State 15-18 3-7/5th WAC 1991 Colorado State 19-12 4-8/5th WAC 1992 Colorado State 19-11 6-8/6th WAC 1993 Colorado State 19-11 7-7/4th tie WAC 1994 Colorado State 12-19 3-11/7th WAC 1995 Colorado State 21-11 8-6/3rd WAC NCAA (0-1) 1996 Colorado State 23-11 10-6/3rd WAC NCAA (1-1) 299-167 (.642) 2 conf. titles 8 NCAA berths 1999 California 13-15 7-11/6th tie Pac-10 2000 California 13-15 6-12/7th tie Pac-10 2001 California 10-18 3-15/9th Pac-10 2002 California 20-12 7-11/8th Pac-10 NCAA (1-1) 2003 California 25-7 12-6/3rd tie Pac-10 NCAA (2-1) 2004 California 17-12 11-7/4th tie Pac-10 NCAA (1-1) 2005 California 19-11 10-8/5th tie Pac-10 NCAA (1-1) 2006 California 22-10 9-9/5th Pac-10 NCAA (2-1) 139-100 (.582) 5 NCAA berths Totals 438-267 (.621) 2 conf. titles 13 NCAA berths
