Kean Athletics Announce Two New Coaching Hires

By Ruben Nieves | Published September 30, 2022

Kean athletics has announced two new coaching hires. Bez Arslani as the new head coach for the men’s volleyball team and professor Joe Sarnorski as the coach for the Esports Rocket League team.

Arslani was called by Athletic Director Kelly Williams about taking the position of head coach.

“I knew that after playing for Kean University that this would be a good stepping stone for what I want to do,” Arslani said. “I took it and ran with it.” 

Arslani, who before playing with Kean, played for NJCU for a year where in 31 matches he had 108 sets played, 432 kills, 221 digs, and 48 block assists. In his two years with Kean, Arslani played in 61 matches where he had 188 sets played, 667 kills, 253 digs, and 108 block assists.

Arslani also played in the National Volleyball League, a professional men’s volleyball league, for the New Jersey Freedom.  

When he officially became head coach, Arslani felt satisfied. As the new head coach, he is excited to still be a part of the sport he loves. He is able to provide the players with the knowledge he gained from his coaches over the years. 

“I was a little stressed out before I got the phone call,” Arslani said. “After I got the call, I definitely had an angel looking over me and that angel was my mom who recently passed away and after getting the call I immediately said thank you to her.”

Sarnorski, a Kean professor of environmental science, sustainability science, and geology, first heard about Kean’s Esports team when having students introduce themselves a year ago. 

“One of my students mentioned she was a part of the Esports club and that they were starting a competitive esports program,” Sarnorski said. “I immediately said you got to tell me more about it because I want to be a part of it. Anything I can do to help Kean. I really do think Kean does amazing things.”

Sarnorski says it was an immediate yes when Athletic Director Williams presented him with the opportunity to coach.

“I love Kean University, I think they’re doing amazing things and if it’s something I think is going to help students there’s no way I would say no,” Sarnorski said. “Now that he is a coach for the Esports Rocket League team and a professor here at Kean, Sarnorski is able to balance both really well. He informs students about the Esports team and informs members of the team about the courses he teaches.

“I’ll do some of my professor work in the arena while my players are playing,” Sarnorski said. “I get to recruit students both ways.”

You can attend Kean’s Esports matches on the second floor of the Green Lane Academic Building or watch from home on Twitch at Kean_Esports. Kean’s men’s volleyball season will begin in the Spring. 

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