Szerszen Returns to Ohio State as Assistant Coach
6/24/2026 3:10:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Buckeye hall of famer was part of two NCAA championship teams
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Nicolas Szerszen, among the most outstanding players in Ohio State men's volleyball history, is returning to his alma mater to join Kevin Burch's staff as an assistant coach. A Buckeye from 2015-18, Szerszen has been playing professionally since graduation.
"During his four years at Ohio State, Nick exemplified what it means to be a complete student-athlete," Burch said. "He was an outstanding teammate, leader and competitor who set the standard for work ethic, accountability and resilience both on and off the court. We are thrilled to welcome Nick back to our program and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes as he mentors them with the same values and commitment to excellence that defined his career as a Buckeye."
Named the national player of the year by multiple entities in 2016 (AVCA), 2017 (Volleyball Magazine) and 2018 (VolleyMob.com), Szerszen owns numerous Ohio State records. The Buckeyes' all-time leader in kills (1,678), points (2,030), aces (238), aces per set (.53) and total attempts (3,273), he was equally adept in the classroom. He was a four-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Academic All-Conference honoree. He also was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten award winner and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Szerszen's individual efforts on the court helped the Buckeyes to national titles in 2016 and 2017. The Buckeyes also won regular-season MIVA titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and earned league tournament titles over the final three seasons of his Ohio State career. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
"Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye," Szerszen said. "I'm honored to return to Ohio State as a member of the coaching staff. After competing at the highest levels of professional volleyball in Poland for the past several years, I'm excited to bring that experience back to Columbus and help develop the next generation of Buckeyes. I'm looking forward to getting in the gym, building relationships and chasing championships. Go Bucks!"
"During his four years at Ohio State, Nick exemplified what it means to be a complete student-athlete," Burch said. "He was an outstanding teammate, leader and competitor who set the standard for work ethic, accountability and resilience both on and off the court. We are thrilled to welcome Nick back to our program and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes as he mentors them with the same values and commitment to excellence that defined his career as a Buckeye."
Named the national player of the year by multiple entities in 2016 (AVCA), 2017 (Volleyball Magazine) and 2018 (VolleyMob.com), Szerszen owns numerous Ohio State records. The Buckeyes' all-time leader in kills (1,678), points (2,030), aces (238), aces per set (.53) and total attempts (3,273), he was equally adept in the classroom. He was a four-time Ohio State Scholar Athlete and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Academic All-Conference honoree. He also was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten award winner and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Szerszen's individual efforts on the court helped the Buckeyes to national titles in 2016 and 2017. The Buckeyes also won regular-season MIVA titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and earned league tournament titles over the final three seasons of his Ohio State career. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
"Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye," Szerszen said. "I'm honored to return to Ohio State as a member of the coaching staff. After competing at the highest levels of professional volleyball in Poland for the past several years, I'm excited to bring that experience back to Columbus and help develop the next generation of Buckeyes. I'm looking forward to getting in the gym, building relationships and chasing championships. Go Bucks!"
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