TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati head volleyball coach Danijela Tomić announced the first two additions to her coaching staff on Tuesday, hiring Alison Cooke and Sean Drexl as assistant coaches.
"I am thrilled to announce Ali and Sean as the newest members of our coaching staff," said Tomić. "Having worked with Ali for the past eight and Sean for the last two years, I've seen firsthand their ability to coach, connect with student-athletes, and bring out the best in them both on and off the court. Their character, work ethic, growth mindset, attention to detail, and passion for the game make them a tremendous addition to our program. Both will play a key role in helping us build a culture of excellence as we embrace the challenges and opportunities of competing in the Big 12."
The duo helped lead BGSU to a 25-10 record last season, the program's seventh 20-win season since Tomic's arrival in 2012. The Falcons captured the MAC Championship and finished as the NIVC Runner-Up for just the second time in program history.
// ALISON COOKE
Cooke reunites with Tomić after spending the past eight seasons at Bowling Green State University, where she most recently served as associate head coach.
"I am honored to join the Cincinnati volleyball program and grateful for the opportunity to build a championship program alongside Coach Tomić and Sean," said Cooke. "I believe in them, this athletics department, and this university and am looking forward to building relationships with our players while helping them continue to develop into strong, smart, and successful young women. I am grateful for Coach Tomić's trust in me and feel privileged to take the next step in our careers together. The passion for this university is palpable and I am looking forward to connecting more with our community. Go Bearcats!"
While there, she helped guide the Falcons to multiple championships, including three MAC regular season titles (2017, 2018, 2024) and two MAC Tournament crowns (2020-21, 2022) that led to NCAA Tournament appearances. The program also made five consecutive MAC Tournament Championship appearances (2019-2023), the longest streak in over a decade.
Before BGSU, Cooke was a volunteer assistant coach at Duke (2015-2017), helping the Blue Devils to back-to-back winning seasons, including a 21-9 finish in 2016.
As a player, she was a standout setter at Wingate, leading the Bulldogs to three NCAA Elite Eight appearances and earning two AVCA All-American honors. A native of Davidson, N.C., Cooke holds a psychology degree from Wingate and a master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine.
// SEAN DREXL
Drexl joins the University of Cincinnati volleyball staff after working alongside Coach Tomić as Director of Operations at Bowling Green for the past two seasons.
"I'd like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Coach Tomić for the opportunity to join the University of Cincinnati's volleyball staff," said Drexl. "Her unwavering commitment towards the growth and success of her athletes, staff, and program altogether is tangible. I am incredibly eager to aid Coach Tomić in bolstering Cincinnati volleyball's position in the Big 12 Conference and community alike."
During his tenure, he contributed to the Falcons' historic 2024 campaign, which saw a 25-10 record, a MAC Championship, and an NIVC Runner-Up finish.
Before BGSU, Drexl served as an assistant coach at Presbyterian College and Georgia Southern, where he was involved in scouting, film review, statistical analysis, and match preparation.
His coaching career began as the U16 head coach for MVP Academy in Florida while he played collegiately as a libero at the University of Charleston. A 2021 All-Conference EIVA Second Team selection, Drexl earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Charleston.
"I am thrilled to announce Ali and Sean as the newest members of our coaching staff," said Tomić. "Having worked with Ali for the past eight and Sean for the last two years, I've seen firsthand their ability to coach, connect with student-athletes, and bring out the best in them both on and off the court. Their character, work ethic, growth mindset, attention to detail, and passion for the game make them a tremendous addition to our program. Both will play a key role in helping us build a culture of excellence as we embrace the challenges and opportunities of competing in the Big 12."
The duo helped lead BGSU to a 25-10 record last season, the program's seventh 20-win season since Tomic's arrival in 2012. The Falcons captured the MAC Championship and finished as the NIVC Runner-Up for just the second time in program history.
// ALISON COOKE
Cooke reunites with Tomić after spending the past eight seasons at Bowling Green State University, where she most recently served as associate head coach.
"I am honored to join the Cincinnati volleyball program and grateful for the opportunity to build a championship program alongside Coach Tomić and Sean," said Cooke. "I believe in them, this athletics department, and this university and am looking forward to building relationships with our players while helping them continue to develop into strong, smart, and successful young women. I am grateful for Coach Tomić's trust in me and feel privileged to take the next step in our careers together. The passion for this university is palpable and I am looking forward to connecting more with our community. Go Bearcats!"
While there, she helped guide the Falcons to multiple championships, including three MAC regular season titles (2017, 2018, 2024) and two MAC Tournament crowns (2020-21, 2022) that led to NCAA Tournament appearances. The program also made five consecutive MAC Tournament Championship appearances (2019-2023), the longest streak in over a decade.
Before BGSU, Cooke was a volunteer assistant coach at Duke (2015-2017), helping the Blue Devils to back-to-back winning seasons, including a 21-9 finish in 2016.
As a player, she was a standout setter at Wingate, leading the Bulldogs to three NCAA Elite Eight appearances and earning two AVCA All-American honors. A native of Davidson, N.C., Cooke holds a psychology degree from Wingate and a master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine.
// SEAN DREXL
Drexl joins the University of Cincinnati volleyball staff after working alongside Coach Tomić as Director of Operations at Bowling Green for the past two seasons.
"I'd like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Coach Tomić for the opportunity to join the University of Cincinnati's volleyball staff," said Drexl. "Her unwavering commitment towards the growth and success of her athletes, staff, and program altogether is tangible. I am incredibly eager to aid Coach Tomić in bolstering Cincinnati volleyball's position in the Big 12 Conference and community alike."
During his tenure, he contributed to the Falcons' historic 2024 campaign, which saw a 25-10 record, a MAC Championship, and an NIVC Runner-Up finish.
Before BGSU, Drexl served as an assistant coach at Presbyterian College and Georgia Southern, where he was involved in scouting, film review, statistical analysis, and match preparation.
His coaching career began as the U16 head coach for MVP Academy in Florida while he played collegiately as a libero at the University of Charleston. A 2021 All-Conference EIVA Second Team selection, Drexl earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Charleston.