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Northwest Iowa Hires Kirlin as First Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

Welcome graphic introducing Mark Kivlin as the Northwest Iowa head volleyball coach. The design features a portrait of Kivlin wearing a light-colored zip-up jacket with an “NWC” logo, set against a textured red background. To the right, stylized text reads “Mark Kivlin” above bold lettering that says “Northwest Iowa Head Volleyball Coach,” alongside the Northwest Iowa Wildcats logo.
Mark Kirlin announced as first head volleyball coach for Northwest Iowa Community College.
January 28, 2026

SHELDON, Iowa - Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) has hired Mark Kirlin as the College's first-ever Head Women's Volleyball Coach, marking a historic milestone as NCC continues to expand collegiate athletics and student opportunities. The NCC Thunder Women's Volleyball program will begin competition in its inaugural season in Fall 2026.

Kirlin brings more than 22 years of volleyball coaching experience and has coached athletes at a variety of levels, including high school and club volleyball. His coaching background includes Roncalli Catholic High School (Omaha, NE), Pawnee City High School (Pawnee City, NE), and the club volleyball level with Action Motion Volleyball Club (now known as Nebraska Power). He has also remained active in the sport as a volleyball official, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the game and player development.

In addition, Kirlin has earned volleyball-specific training and certifications through organizations such as USA Volleyball and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). He is also completing a master's degree in Coaching and Administration and is expected to graduate in February 2026, strengthening his foundation in leadership, program development, and student-athlete success. "We are excited to welcome Coach Kirlin to NCC as we prepare for the launch of women's volleyball," said Eric Francis, Athletic Director. "This is a significant step forward for Thunder Athletics, and we look forward to building a strong foundation for student-athletes as we move toward our first season of competition."

As head coach, Kirlin will lead the development of NCC's new women's volleyball program, including recruiting, scheduling, team culture, and preparing student-athletes for competition beginning in Fall 2026.