Toby Rens, head coach at the University of Pittsburgh, is coming off his first season (17-14), having led the Panthers to their first Big East berth since 2004.  Rens is a great educator and motivator who challenge ahthletes to elevate their level of play.  Rens joined Pitt after a successful four-year tenure at LIU that witnessed the Blackbirds earn Northeast Conference titles and automatic NCAA tournament bids each season.  LIU averaged 26.5 victories a year under Rens, including a 32-7 mark in 2004, the winningest season in LIU history. 

Over the years, Coach Rens has helped many of his players develop into recognized players, recieivng accolades such as 1st Team All-Conference, 2nd Team All-Conference, Player of the Year, Player of the Week, Rookie of the Year, All-Region, All-Academic teams, amongst many other honors.

He is highly active in national volleyball circles, serving as a member of the NCAA Division I Head Coaches Committee and as a voter in the USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll.  A native of Ireton, Iowa, Rens graduated from Morningside in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.