Meske Named Assistant Coach

Lincoln - Nebraska Head Coach John Cook announced Thursday the hiring of Dan Meske to the Nebraska volleyball staff. Meske has been a part of the Husker program for the past four seasons and joins the team as a full-time assistant coach after spending the past two seasons as a volunteer assistant. Meske replaces Lizzy Stemke, who was recently named the head coach at Georgia. Former Husker Maggie Griffin will also join the staff as the team's volunteer coach. Griffin played for Nebraska from 2005 to 2007 after transferring from Michigan State.

"Dan has been a part of the program for the past four years and we've seen him grow into a coach that we feel can have an impact at Nebraska," Cook said. "After looking at several coaches around the nation we felt Dan was our best fit."

A Chicago native and former player at Ohio State, Meske already has ties to the Big Ten Conference.

"Dan has paid his dues and understands what it takes to compete in the Big Ten," Cook said. "Being from the Chicago area he is going to help us recruit there."

During his first four seasons at Nebraska, Meske has helped the Huskers to a 116-15 record, three Big 12 titles and an appearance in the 2008 NCAA National Semifinals. Along with coaching, he will oversee the team's scouting, video and managers.

"It is an honor to be able to continue my coaching career at Nebraska with such an amazing team, coaching staff, athletic department and university," Meske said. "I feel a strong personal and professional connection to the university and community in Lincoln, and it is a blessing to be able to remain a part of both."

Prior to being a volunteer coach for the Huskers, Meske served as the Huskers' graduate manager for two years. He assisted in film breakdown and statistical work while overseeing the student managers in the program. Meske also spent one season playing professionally in Indonesia, helping BNI Taplus Volleyball to a regular-season title and a national runner-up finish in 2008.

He has also worked as a coach on the club level for the last seven years. Most notably, Meske coached the Sports Performance Girls' 16-Red team to a silver medal at the 2009 AAU National Championships in Orlando.

Meske also saw success on the court as a player for Coach Pete Hanson at Ohio State. Meske appeared in 117 career matches for the Buckeyes, helping OSU to a national semifinal appearance in 2005. Ohio State won 88 matches and a pair of Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association titles during his four-year career. He was a three-time academic All-Big Ten selection and four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete during his collegiate career.

His best season came in 2007, as he helped the Buckeyes to a 23-4 record and regular-season MIVA title. A starter at opposite, he ranked second on the squad in both kills (3.04) and digs (1.39) per set to earn second-team MIVA honors. For his first three seasons at Ohio State, he served as the team's libero and defensive specialist, starting all 30 matches at libero in his first college season. He led the Buckeyes in both digs (198) and digs per set (2.04) in 2004.

Meske is a native of Willow Springs, Ill., where he played three seasons at Lyons Township High School. He earned first-team all-state honors in 2003 after leading his team to a fourth-place finish at the state championship.

Meske received his bachelor's degree in construction systems management from Ohio State in 2007 and received his master's degree in leadership development from Nebraska in June of 2010.

Griffin will work primarily with the Huskers' setters after playing professionally in both Puerto Rico and The Netherlands. Griffin has also started a club team in Lincoln for girls under the age of 14.

"Maggie has turned down some Division I jobs and wants to be a part of Nebraska volleyball," Cook said. "We are excited she wants to be here and we can help her become a Division I coach. She will help with our setters and bring a winning attitude."