PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has named Imanol Davila-Morales as the men's volleyball program's new head coach. 

 

"After an extensive national search, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Imanol Davila-Morales as the head men's volleyball coach," said Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens. "Coach Davila-Morales has a demonstrated passion, knowledge and skillset that makes him a great leader for UMES men's volleyball. As we continue to promote the emerging sport of men's volleyball, we are excited to support Coach Davila-Morales and the Hawk men's volleyball program as they prepare for the upcoming season." 

 

Davila-Morales comes to the Hawks after most recently serving as the men's volleyball head coach at Barry University. In his first year at the helm of the program – only the second year as a program at Barry – Davila-Morales led the team to a 21-6 record and an appearance in the IVA semifinals. 

 

For Davila-Morales' time at Barry, he was named the IVA Coach of the Year and Florida Region Ernest Langford Pioneer Award winner. The Buccaneers won 16 of their matches in 3-0 sweeps under his supervision of the program. 

 

The Puerto Rico-native comes to UMES with additional coaching experience as a graduate assistant coach at McKendree University for both the men's and women's volleyball programs. During his time at McKendree, the men's program went 20-8 (13-3 MIVA) with ranked wins against Loyola-Chicago, Ohio State, Ball State and Lewis. He has also served as an assistant coach at Oakland City University and volunteer coach at his alma-mater, Warner University. 

 

Beyond his college coaching experiences, Davila-Morales also has spent time as a volunteer assistant coach for the Puerto Rican professional men's volleyball team Gigantes De Carolina which competes in the Superior League.  

 

He has also served as an assistant coach for the 19U team as a part of the Puerto Rican Federation of Volleyball competing in the NORCECA. 

 

Davila-Morales is a certified staff and camp coach at Gold Medal Squared, a USA Volleyball partner. He is also the founder and director of the Rally On Volley On organization that seeks to grow men's volleyball at all levels within the mid-south of the United States and Puerto Rico through camps, clinics and additional events while working with the Collegiate Club Volleyball League (CCVL), the Mid-South Volleyball Region and La Isla Invitational. The organization also hosts fundraisers and philanthropic efforts such as food and clothing drives to give back to the community. 

 

A graduate of Warner University, Davila-Morales also competed in volleyball for the Royals as a libero. During his final two years he was named AAC First Team and NCCAA First Team while leading the team to an AAC regular season championship and a AAC Tournament runner up finish while finishing fifth in the NCCAA tournament. 

 

While at Warner, he earned bachelor's degrees in English and Communications. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business degree. 

Prior to Warner, Davila-Morales was a part of the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program pipeline while earning two AAU national championships and making three state tournament appearances, finishing as runner-up once. He is a graduate of Celebration High School. 
 

"This is a tremendous opportunity to lead UMES men's volleyball. I would like to extend my appreciation to my mentors and family; their support has been instrumental to where I am now. I appreciate Vice President Owens and UMES leadership for entrusting me with the responsibility to be the head coach of the Hawks," says Davila-Morales. "We have a great opportunity to build a men's volleyball program that can win championships while representing UMES with pride on and off the court. I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes and becoming a part of the campus community." 

 

Davila-Morales takes over a men's volleyball program coming off its an inaugural season of competition. UMES finished the season with an overall record of 17-11 and a 7-5 mark in the Northeast Conference (NEC). 
 

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore sponsors an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The University currently fields teams in 15 sports: women's and men's volleyball, women's bowling, women's and men's golf, women's and men's cross country, women's and men's basketball, women's and men's indoor track & field, women's and men's outdoor track & field, softball, and baseball. 

The UMES women's volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, track & field, and cross country programs compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). UMES golf, baseball, and men's volleyball compete as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC). In June, UMES also announced the addition of women's flag football which will compete in the MEAC beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.