WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – On Monday, December 22nd, 2025, University of Hartford Director of Athletics & Recreation Alicia Queally announced the hiring of Johan Dulfer as the 12th head coach of the Hartford volleyball program.

"We are excited to welcome Johan Dulfer as the next leader of the women's volleyball program at the University of Hartford. Johan brings extensive head coaching and leadership experience with a proven track record of being able to build elite Division III volleyball programs that are successful both on and off the court. I'm excited to have him on board as we continue to build our championship culture here at Hartford."

Dulfer brings more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience to Hartford, highlighted by success across multiple NCAA programs. Most recently, Dulfer served as head volleyball coach at Ithaca College from 2016- 2023, where he led the Bombers to eight consecutive NCAA Tournament selections. During his tenure, Ithaca would win back-to-back Liberty League championships in 2022 and 2023. Johan would also lead the Bombers into the sweet sixteen on three occasions in 2018, 2019, and 2023, an elite eight finish in 2018, and a final four appearance in 2017.

"I would like to thank the search committee and Director of Athletics Alicia Queally for the honor of becoming the next head coach at the University of Hartford. During my research and my visit to campus it became clear that I really could see myself as part of the UHart community. Coming back to coaching in the environment that I experienced when I visited, was a no-brainer decision. I was so impressed with everyone's passion for their jobs and for the University, their care for the student-athlete experience, and the desire to be successful. I can't wait to get started. Together we will take Hartford volleyball to the next level."

Before his time at Ithaca, Dulfer spent ten seasons as head coach at Clarkson University (2006–2015), leading the Golden Knights to four consecutive NCAA Elite Eight appearances from 2012 through 2015 and posting a program-best 37-4 record in 2014.

Across 17 seasons as a head coach, Dulfer has compiled a career record of 431-173 (.714), earning seven Liberty League Coach of the Year honors and five American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Regional Coach of the Year awards.

Prior to joining Clarkson University, Dulfer was an assistant coach at Division I James Madison University, where he served as the first assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2003-2005. While with the Dukes, Johan helped JMU make two CAA Championship appearances in 2003 and 2005. In addition, he spent seven years with USA Volleyball as a program coordinator for the IREVA High Performance program, evaluating and coaching athletes at national championships.

Dulfer also served as a regional chair of the Divison III National Volleyball Committee from 2017-2022. 

Dulfer holds a master's degree in Kinesiology/Sport Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in International Organizations from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

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