Courtesy of UC Santa Barbara Department of Athletics

UC Santa Barbara Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark W. Massari has confirmed that the Nicole Lantagne Welch has agreed to become the school's next women's volleyball coach, replacing the legendary Kathy Gregory who retired in January.

A native of Encinitas, Calif., Lantagne Welch, will be formally introduced at a Feb. 14 press conference/meet-the-coach event in the UCSB Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus. She spent the last 12 years as the head coach at the University of Miami (Fla.) where she guided the program to 243 wins, five NCAA Tournament appearances – including the last four in a row – and the Sweet 16 in just her second season.  In 2012, the Hurricanes were 25-6 overall and 17-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Following the season, she was named ACC and AVCA/East Region Coach of the Year.

Deputy Athletics Director Diane O'Brien and former head coach Kathy Gregory assisted on the search.