Peru State athletic director Steve Schneider has announced the hiring of Nathan Baker as the new head Bobcat volleyball coach. Baker will start his position on January 15.

Baker arrives at Peru State with 12 years of experience as a head coach or an assistant at the college level. He has a history of strengthening programs by recruiting and developing skilled student-athletes, ranging from one All-American to two conference rookies of the year. Off the court, he takes pride in his student-athletes succeeding in the classroom.

Baker will begin his tenure after serving as the athletic director at Brevard Christian School in West Melbourne, Fla., for the last two years. He also served on the Facilities and Event Management staff at the University of Central Florida.

His last coaching stop was as an assistant coach for three years at NCAA Division I Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Each season, the Rams advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. In his first season in 2009, they won the conference's regular-season title and later earned a spot in the tournament's championship. In Baker's last season, they ranked first in the conference with a .233 hitting percentage and 360 total blocks.

Prior to his position at VCU, he was the head coach at NCAA Division II institutions Tusculum College and the University of West Alabama. In his first season at Tusculum, his team posted a 14-win improvement at 23-10 overall. In the following year, they surpassed their previous win mark with a 25-10 record. His 2007 squad ranked third in Division II in blocks per game at 3.06 and 14th in hitting percentage at .257.

As the leader of West Alabama's program, he led them to a berth in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) Tournament at a record of 22-11 in 2009. Five of his players were named All-GSC, one was selected freshman of the year and one was tabbed American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region.

Baker was an assistant coach for three seasons at Division I Campbell University from 2003-06. In 2002, he landed his first head coaching position as the volleyball and softball coach at Colorado Northwestern College, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

He received his bachelor's degree in human services, while serving as a student volleyball assistant for two years, from Martin Methodist College in 2002.

Baker is married to the former Jessica McDougal of Pulaski, Tenn. The couple has two daughters, Emma (8) and Morgan (6).

In commenting about the position, Baker said, "I'm excited about the opportunity to take over the Peru State volleyball program. I see the potential for growth and national exposure on the NAIA level. I believe in academic and athletic balance and Peru State College has everything in place to achieve that balance."

Continuing, Baker added, "I would like to thank Dr. Daniel Hanson, Vice President Michaela Willis, Athletic Director Steve Schneider, and the search committee for their professionalism during the search. I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm excited about being a head coach at Peru State. I'm looking forward to the future here."

Schneider noted, "Coach Baker has outstanding experience which he brings to Peru State. He has been able to help turn programs around. I am confident he will help move the Bobcat volleyball program to be among the top tier programs in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and the NAIA."

Last season, the Bobcats finished the season 21-14, the most wins since 2002. In HAAC play, the 'Cats were 4-5 and finished in a tie for fourth. Fourteen returning players will greet Coach Baker on Wednesday.