BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech Athletics Department announced Thursday that Chris Riley has been named the Hokies' head volleyball coach. Riley replaces six-year head coach Greg Smith, who accepted a position at Notre Dame.

"I am pleased that Chris Riley has jonied the Virginia Tech athletics family," said Jim Weaver, Director of Athletics. "I believe he has the ability to take the volleyball program to the next level and ultimately compete for ACC Championships."

Riley spent the last six seasons at Towson University, where he led the team to five straight 20-win seasons, three conference regular season championships, the 2004 Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship and the 2004 NCAA tournament. He won the CAA Coach of the Year award in 2003, and the America East Coach of the Year award in 2001. Riley had an overall record of 144-54 at Towson.

Last year, the Tigers went 28-7, with four players earning All-CAA honors.

In 2004, Towson won 25 straight home matches and earned the CAA regular season title with a 13-1 record. The Tigers swept George Mason and Delaware to win the CAA tournament championship and earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Riley made an immediate impact with the team upon his arrival at Towson in 2000, and in his second year as a head coach, led the team to its first winning season in six years.

Prior to going to Towson, Riley spent six years as an assistant coach at St. John's University in New York. While serving as an assistant with the Red Storm, Riley helped lead the team in its inaugural years as a Division I program. He implemented off-season training programs and assisted with recruiting. Riley also started the first volleyball camp at St. John's.

Riley also spent one season as an assistant coach at his alma matter, Jacksonville University. A 1993 graduate of Jacksonville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, he played for the Dolphins' golf team and formed the men's volleyball club. He was the captain of the volleyball club as a senior.

Riley has competed in beach and USA Volleyball indoor leagues and tournaments. In addition to his college coaching experience, Riley also served as the head coach for the Long Island-Big Apple Volleyball Club, a nationally recognized junior team, in Nassau, N.Y., from 1998-2000.

Riley and his wife, the former Tara Cahill, are the parents of a toddler son, Aiden, and baby daughter, Kieran.