New Rochelle, NY – Monroe University Director of Athletics Lou Melendez has announced the hiring of Joshua Molina as the new men's volleyball coach ahead of the 2026 season.
"I am looking forward to Coach Molina producing a quality program that emphasizes the importance of accountability and integrity," Melendez said. "I feel that his core values align with the principles and mission of the university; he will be a great addition to the department."
Molina joins the New Rochelle staff after spending the 2025 season as an assistant coach with the Monroe Express. In his lone season in the Bronx, the team won its first regional postseason match in program history, helping lead the team to earning a spot in the NJCAA Men's Volleyball National Invitational.
While in Canandaigua, NY, for the tournament, Molina interacted with the Mustangs and saw potential in the players and their attitudes. When the head coach position opened up, Molina reflected on those prior interactions with the New Rochelle athletes and realized the opportunity to grow with the program.
"The interaction with them, their willingness to learn, and their enthusiasm about the game drew me to the team," Molina said. "[When the role opened up] I was really excited about the opportunity to help them reach their potential."
Molina has been around the game for some time. From 2007 to 2010, Molina was the head coach of the Warren County girls' volleyball team. In 2021, he began coaching the Legacy Volleyball Club in the Bronx. In addition to coaching in the Bronx, Molina has headed the Scarsdale High School varsity girls' volleyball program since 2022. He will continue in that role while with the Mustangs while also heading the boys' program later this year.
"[Coaching] is not a job for me, it's more of a passion," Molina said. "What I get in return is much more than what I can provide. Making a difference in one person's life in any small way does much more for me than I could ever do for any of the players I've coached."
Molina's philosophy is reliant on accountability and teamwork.
"I don't want student-athletes who sit back and wait for something to happen for them, I want them to go get it," Molina said. "It starts with our team culture. I think if you have a good culture, you can overcome anything."
The JUCO men's volleyball season is short and within a three-month period working on individual play can certainly pay its dividends. But Molina's focus is on the team aspect of the sport and if a team takes that same approach together — whether it be improving their communication or dynamic on the court — it will be more worthwhile than six individuals working to be as good as they can be.
"Every volleyball player needs to grow individually in order for us to succeed, but we need to focus on a team atmosphere," Molina said. "One person cannot be greater than the team. That's something I like to emphasize, and I think it resonates with the players once they see the progress they can make as a team."
The Mustangs men's volleyball program has been successful since its inception in 2023, securing a bid to nationals in all three seasons and playing for a championship by reaching the finals in 2023 and 2024. But Molina sees a baseline of skill and volleyball IQ within the program that he believes can soar above what it has already achieved.
"I hope to continue the team's upward trajectory," Molina said. "With working in the system, I think we can continue on the same path. Taking the team to the next level is by playing team volleyball and I think we can succeed in the [national tournament] atmosphere."
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
