Since Daniel Rasay joined the Stanford men's volleyball coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2010, head coach John Kosty had a feeling that this would be the beginning of a lasting relationship.
The Cardinal won the NCAA championship that season and Rasay found ways to stay with the program - as a technical adviser in 2011 and as a volunteer assistant coach from 2012-13 before joining the staff on a full-time basis for the 2014 season. He enters his 10th season as a full-time assistant in 2022-23 and his 14th overall on staff.
"Daniel is a perfect fit for our coaching staff," Kosty said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge in sports psychology along with a true understanding of the setting position. He's been an incredible asset to our program and we look forward to having him with Stanford men's volleyball for years to come."
Stanford has had some of its best seasons since Rasay arrived. Besides the national championship, the Cardinal advanced to the MPSF tournament final in 2012 and finished with a No. 3 AVCA ranking. In 2014, Stanford was the national runner-up and produced at least three All-Americans in the same year for a program-best fifth consecutive season.
In 2016, Stanford led the nation with three first-team AVCA All-Americans and totaled four overall. It was the second time in three seasons in which the Cardinal had produced four All-Americans.
Rasay also brings a level of expertise to the program in various ways, including sports psychology and for teaching the nuances of the setting position.
Rasay has served as head women's coach at Menlo College, taking over in the fall of 2010. He guided the Oaks to the California Pacific Conference regular-season and tournament titles in 2012 and a berth in the NAIA tournament.
Rasay, a native of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, became a legend of sorts at the University of Hawai'i for his clutch play in the NCAA tournament. As a freshman, Rasay came off the bench and sparked Hawai'i to a 2002 NCAA semifinal victory. Rasay had 21 assists in two sets during the four-set victory against host Penn State. The Warriors would go on to win the NCAA title, and Rasay would go on to become the Warriors' captain in 2005 and a crowd favorite at UH's Stan Sheriff Center.
"Since Daniel Rasay has joined us in 2010, there has been a significant rise in the quality of coaching and program administration in men's volleyball," Stanford associate head coach Ken Shibuya said. "He brings a unique perspective to the team and our staff. His work ethic is top-notch and his personal ethics are impeccable. Having him full-time with the program raises the bar even higher. We are extremely fortunate to have this one-of-a-kind coaching talent."
Rasay began his collegiate head-coaching career at Mills College, an NCAA Division III women's school in Oakland, from 2006-08, and completed three seasons at Menlo, finishing second in the California Pacific Conference in 2011 before going 17-7 in 2012.
He and his wife, Ann, were married in December 2013. They have two sons, Eli and Kellen.