Ethan Larsen is returning to the Columbia Bible College Bearcats men's volleyball team, but he's moving from the floor to the bench.
The CBC grad and former Bearcats volleyball player was announced as the program's new head coach on Thursday (May 15).
Larsen earned a degree in counselling and human services from CBC and recently completed his a master’s degree in leadership and management from Saskatchewan's Briercrest College and Seminary. His graduate research focused on building competitive cultures rooted in faith.
He has coached extensively across B.C. and western Canada, including provincial teams and volleyball camps. He also founded the Vancouver-based Phoenix Volleyball Club.
“Since the beginning of my coaching journey, it has been a dream of mine to come back to Columbia Bible College and coach the men’s volleyball program," he stated. "CBC was where I started my playing career and I’ve always hoped to circle back. The culture of the team, the fans, and the school hold some of the best memories of my playing career. I am thrilled to invest in the lives of the athletes and be part of a program that seeks to honour God first and build a winning culture that competes every night in the Pacwest."
According to CBC officials, his coaching philosophy centres on developing character-driven athletes, fostering a culture of disciplined excellence, and building competitive systems that translate into success on the court.
Larsen replaces outgoing head coach Kyle Pankratz, who accepted the job in 2023. He takes over a Bearcats program that finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 6-14 and failed to make the playoffs. However, those six wins were the most for the program since a 13-win season in 2014-15. The men's team last qualified for the playoffs in 2018-19.
The Pacwest volleyball season typically begins in mid-October and runs until mid-February.
