From NCAA Champion to New Mission: Alan Knipe’s Next Chapter
From Bump Set Chat! The place to hear from your favorite volleyball personalities! by Bump Set Chat Podcast
April 3, 2026 · 56 min
About this episode
Alan Knipe discusses his transition from coaching at Long Beach State to his new venture in athlete development.
In this episode of Bump Set Chat, we sit down with legendary coach Alan Knipe to talk about life after stepping away from Long Beach State Men's Volleyball. Walking away from college after another national championship, Coach Knipe shares what retirement has really been like, what it’s like watching his team from the outside, and how his perspective on coaching has evolved. We also dive into his new venture, Champions Unlimited—a unique offseason training environment designed to help athletes at every level prepare, develop, and compete at a higher standard. Plus, we break down: What college athletes are missing in the offseason How high school players can actually prepare for the next level The importance of systems, leadership, and volleyball IQ The vision behind PLAIY — a “coach in your pocket” Whether you're a player, coach, or fan of the game, this is a must-watch conversation on development, mindset, and the future of volleyball.
People in this episode
Guest: Alan Knipe
Topics covered
- life after coaching
- retirement
- offseason training
- athlete development
- volleyball coaching
- leadership in sports
Keywords
- Alan Knipe
- volleyball
- coaching
- Champions Unlimited
- athlete development
- offseason training
- leadership
- volleyball IQ
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Long Beach State Men's Volleyball, Champions Unlimited, PLAIY
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