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After three years competing for Long Beach State and 22 more as a coach at the Beach, Alan Knipe's legendary career comes to a close at the end of the calendar year.

Knipe helped guide LBSU to unprecedented heights, including playing in or coaching four national championship teams, with 10 Final Four appearances, eight national players of the year and over 100 All-Americans seen during the Knipe era.

Knipe leaves Long Beach State as the winningest coach in program history with 450 career victories. Revered across the sport for his contributions to men's volleyball, Knipe was recently tapped to the AVCA Hall of Fame on the heels of his induction into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame, and also already graces the LBSU Hall of Fame as a player as well as part of the 1991 National Championship team.

"Alan Knipe retires as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in the history of Long Beach State Athletics. The only person to be a part of all four NCAA National Championships in program history, Alan built a national powerhouse rooted in elite performance, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the Beach," said Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran upon the announcement of Knipe's retirement on Dec. 1. "His leadership produced national titles, National Players of the Year, Olympians, and a culture of excellence that became the hallmark of Long Beach State men's volleyball. His impact reaches far beyond wins. He shaped men, elevated our community, and set a standard that will guide this program for generations to come."

In his final season, Knipe led the Beach to a national title after defeating defending champion UCLA in three sets (25-22, 25-21, 25-20) in the championship match. The Big West regular-season champion Beach finished the season with a 25-3 record en route to hoisting the trophy.

In the midst of another championship run, Knipe never thought about this being his final season. But looking back on Long Beach State’s remarkable run to the national title, Knipe says it was a special way to end a collegiate coaching career.

“The journey was spectacular because we went through so many big injuries,” Knipe said. “When you lose three starters during the course of the year that are out for the year, a lot of teams crumble in that situation.

“Each Monday, when we came back in the gym and we were dealing with more and more injuries, you could see it was like, ‘this is what our week looks like, here we go.’ They just embraced that it was what it was. I was so proud of the guys who stayed ready even though they hadn’t been starting or playing a lot.”

Knipe was proud of the way his team battled through adversity and persevered in the face of injuries. It was their resilience and determination that ultimately led to their success, Knipe says, and that’s what made the journey so special.

   Culture over everything   
Knipe has built a reputation for creating teams that are not only talented but also mentally tough and resilient. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of culture and building relationships with players.

Knipe believes that sustained success in a program comes down to individual connections and trust.

"I feel blessed to lead this program because it's such a special group," Knipe noted. "When I say group, I'm not talking about just the team last year, the last couple of years, just in general the pride that a Long Beach State player has, the culture that's been built over the years.

"Culture wins out on everything. The X's and O's are important. The talent is immensely important. Having an unbelievably great staff helps, which is I've been able to have. We play in this amazing facility with this amazing fan base. I think that sustainability for sustained success comes down to individual relationships and connections with your players."

He credits the alumni and fan base for their unwavering support and believes that their involvement has been instrumental in the program’s success. Long Beach State’s ability to overcome challenges on and off the Taraflex and come out stronger is a testament to the culture Knipe has built over the years.

“Our alumni are proud of this program, and they put so much into it," Knipe said. "When you have to weather things like COVID, and you’re able to bounce back and play for championships again, it speaks volumes about the culture and the hard work that has been put in.”

   The evolution of coaching   
Throughout his career, Knipe has adapted his coaching style to meet the changing needs of his players. He acknowledges that the athletes he coaches today are different from those he coached when he first started.

“I just think the athletes in my time as a coach have shifted from kind of a ‘what’ generation to a ‘what’ and ‘why,’” Knipe said. “I grew up with a coach as a dad. He told me what I was going to do, and I did that. I don’t think that’s really the way you can coach your players anymore.”

Knipe has embraced the idea of explaining the ‘why’ behind his coaching decisions and getting buy-in from his players. He believes that understanding the reasons behind certain strategies or techniques leads to better performance and a stronger team dynamic.

“I always tried to meet them where they were and not try to coach them all the same way,” Knipe said. “They all have different journeys to get here, so I meet them where they are. My job is to move them along as professionals and prep them for the next level.”

Knipe’s coaching philosophy has been instrumental in the success of his players, many of whom have gone on to have successful professional careers. He takes pride in seeing his players grow and develop both on and off the court.

   A legacy of success   
As a former player himself, Knipe understands the significance of wearing the Long Beach State jersey. He was a member of the 1991 national championship team, and that experience has shaped the way he led the Beach as a coach.

“I always talk about the 20 or 30 minutes right after a national championship,” Knipe said. “That’s the most magical time in sports because everybody realizes that it was all worth it. Whatever you committed as a team was worth it. I want my players to feel that.”

Knipe’s dedication to the program and his players has left a lasting impact on Long Beach State volleyball. He is the only person in school history to be a part of all four national championships, both as a player and a coach.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Knipe said. “I feel very fortunate because I got to play, I got to be an assistant coach, and I got to be a head coach. The breadth of how long I’ve been here, I don’t take lightly. I feel grateful.”

As Knipe looks ahead to the next chapter of his life, he remains committed to the sport he loves. He has started a company called Champions Unlimited, which focuses on camps, clinics and speaking engagements.

He also has big goals for the growth of volleyball in the United States and hopes to bring professional volleyball to the country.

“I’d love to bring pro volleyball to the U.S.,” Knipe said. “If we do it right, maybe get pro volleyball really going in the U.S. so that our players don’t have to spend six to nine months a year away from their families in Europe just to create a living in volleyball.”

With a passion for the sport and sincere dedication to making a difference, there’s no doubt that Knipe will continue to leave a lasting impact on the volleyball community.