UW Removes Interim Tag, McFadden Named Head Coach
April 13, 2026 | Beach Volleyball
SEATTLE – Washington Director of Athletics Pat Chun has removed the interim tag and named Steve McFadden the program's official Head Coach of Women's Beach Volleyball.
"We are excited to name Steve McFadden as the head coach of our beach volleyball program," said Chun. "Since the beginning of the school year, he has provided the leadership and direction our team needed. We are excited for him to build on the positive momentum of this season."
This season as interim head coach, McFadden earned his first win with a 5–0 sweep over Vanguard at the Pepperdine Challenge. Since then, Washington has recorded several key results, including a 4–1 victory over then-No. 13 LSU, a 3–2 win over then-No. 17 North Florida at the Stanford Invitational, and a perfect weekend at the SMC Spring Fling with sweeps of Saint Mary's and Pacific.
"I am so excited for the opportunity to continue leading this program! I want to thank Kiley and Pat for their support, and their belief in my leadership and vision for the program. I feel so fortunate to be at an institution and an athletic department whose values align with my own, and I truly believe that we have all the pieces in place to keep on bringing this program to new heights" said McFadden. "By far, the best move that I have made is bringing in Abbie Hughes, who had an immediate impact, and has been an outstanding leader and role model for our team. Also, Chris Littleman continues to amaze me with his dedication and his passion for this program. I am grateful to every player I have had the opportunity to work with at UW. They have taken pride in representing this city, school, and program, and I am so honored to carry their effort forward. Go Dawgs!"
UW's first home matches of the season are coming up this weekend at Alki Beach. The Huskies will host 15th-ranked Florida Atlantic, 19th-ranked Boise State, Oregon, and Portland this Friday and Saturday, Apr. 17-18.
McFadden has helped lead the Beach Dawgs to consistent national recognition throughout his tenure in Seattle, with Washington appearing regularly in the national rankings. The Huskies spent the majority of the season ranked as high as No. 18. He also served as assistant coach on the 2024 team that earned the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance, securing a 13-seed and becoming the northernmost program ever to qualify for the tournament.
His first season at Washington in 2023 was highlighted by the program's first All-Americans in school history, Chloe Loreen and Natalie Robinson, both of whom earned First Team honors.
Prior to Washington, McFadden spent three seasons at Florida International University as an assistant coach, helping the Panthers maintain a consistent presence in the national top 20. In his first full season in 2021, FIU went 25–7, including a signature upset over No. 3 Florida State, finishing the year ranked No. 15.
In 2022, FIU posted a 22–11 record and finished ranked No. 16, with wins over top-10 opponents Georgia State and Florida Atlantic. Overall, McFadden helped lead FIU to a 55–19 record during his tenure in Miami.
McFadden also coached multiple All-Americans at FIU. Giada Bianchi and Paige Kalkhoff earned AVCA Second Team honors in 2022, while Federica Frasca and Roberta Ribeiro were named First Team All-Americans in 2021.
In 2021, McFadden was tabbed as an Assistant Coach for the USA Volleyball Beach National Team Development Program, where he has coached both boys and girls who aspire to play internationally for the USA. In June of 2023, he was named as one of the coaches for the USA Volleyball Beach Collegiate National Team, working with the men's selections at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.
Prior to FIU, McFadden spent four seasons coaching at Laguna Beach High School, where he served as head coach from 2017–2019. During his tenure, the Breakers were state runners-up twice and captured two IBVL pairs championships.
McFadden and the Huskies continue their 2026 season, facing a slate of elite matchups as they push toward continued success on the national stage and NCAA postseason contention.
"We are excited to name Steve McFadden as the head coach of our beach volleyball program," said Chun. "Since the beginning of the school year, he has provided the leadership and direction our team needed. We are excited for him to build on the positive momentum of this season."
This season as interim head coach, McFadden earned his first win with a 5–0 sweep over Vanguard at the Pepperdine Challenge. Since then, Washington has recorded several key results, including a 4–1 victory over then-No. 13 LSU, a 3–2 win over then-No. 17 North Florida at the Stanford Invitational, and a perfect weekend at the SMC Spring Fling with sweeps of Saint Mary's and Pacific.
"I am so excited for the opportunity to continue leading this program! I want to thank Kiley and Pat for their support, and their belief in my leadership and vision for the program. I feel so fortunate to be at an institution and an athletic department whose values align with my own, and I truly believe that we have all the pieces in place to keep on bringing this program to new heights" said McFadden. "By far, the best move that I have made is bringing in Abbie Hughes, who had an immediate impact, and has been an outstanding leader and role model for our team. Also, Chris Littleman continues to amaze me with his dedication and his passion for this program. I am grateful to every player I have had the opportunity to work with at UW. They have taken pride in representing this city, school, and program, and I am so honored to carry their effort forward. Go Dawgs!"
UW's first home matches of the season are coming up this weekend at Alki Beach. The Huskies will host 15th-ranked Florida Atlantic, 19th-ranked Boise State, Oregon, and Portland this Friday and Saturday, Apr. 17-18.
McFadden has helped lead the Beach Dawgs to consistent national recognition throughout his tenure in Seattle, with Washington appearing regularly in the national rankings. The Huskies spent the majority of the season ranked as high as No. 18. He also served as assistant coach on the 2024 team that earned the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance, securing a 13-seed and becoming the northernmost program ever to qualify for the tournament.
His first season at Washington in 2023 was highlighted by the program's first All-Americans in school history, Chloe Loreen and Natalie Robinson, both of whom earned First Team honors.
Prior to Washington, McFadden spent three seasons at Florida International University as an assistant coach, helping the Panthers maintain a consistent presence in the national top 20. In his first full season in 2021, FIU went 25–7, including a signature upset over No. 3 Florida State, finishing the year ranked No. 15.
In 2022, FIU posted a 22–11 record and finished ranked No. 16, with wins over top-10 opponents Georgia State and Florida Atlantic. Overall, McFadden helped lead FIU to a 55–19 record during his tenure in Miami.
McFadden also coached multiple All-Americans at FIU. Giada Bianchi and Paige Kalkhoff earned AVCA Second Team honors in 2022, while Federica Frasca and Roberta Ribeiro were named First Team All-Americans in 2021.
In 2021, McFadden was tabbed as an Assistant Coach for the USA Volleyball Beach National Team Development Program, where he has coached both boys and girls who aspire to play internationally for the USA. In June of 2023, he was named as one of the coaches for the USA Volleyball Beach Collegiate National Team, working with the men's selections at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.
Prior to FIU, McFadden spent four seasons coaching at Laguna Beach High School, where he served as head coach from 2017–2019. During his tenure, the Breakers were state runners-up twice and captured two IBVL pairs championships.
McFadden and the Huskies continue their 2026 season, facing a slate of elite matchups as they push toward continued success on the national stage and NCAA postseason contention.
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