The James Madison University (JMU) volleyball program has announced the addition of two new coaches, Travis Magorien and Traci Plungas, to its staff. The appointments were made public by Head Coach Lauren Steinbrecher on Thursday.
Magorien and Plungas will take over from Charlie Condron and Connor Wexter, who have moved on to positions at UC Santa Barbara and Kansas, respectively.
Traci Plungas previously served as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2025 season, focusing primarily on middle blockers. She will now assume the role of Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. During her time as a volunteer assistant, she contributed to JMU’s 22-9 record and a Sun Belt Conference regular-season title. Plungas also coached Ayen Nhial to All-Sun Belt Second Team honors; Nhial recorded 165 blocks, tying for the second-most in JMU history since the rally-scoring era began in 2001.
“There are very few people in this profession that I trust more than Traci Plungas,” Steinbrecher said. “She is thoughtful, competitive, and deeply committed to the student-athlete experience. Her volleyball IQ is exceptional, her energy is elite and she has changed our program for the better during her time here. I am immensely grateful to have Traci as our Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator and to have her husband, Dave, and her beautiful daughters, Viola and Isla, in our volleyball family. The future of our program is incredibly bright!”
Plungas expressed enthusiasm about continuing with JMU: “From walking into the office and talking volleyball with Lauren to meeting our incredible team, I knew that there was something special here,” she said. “It didn’t take me long to figure out that it was the people that made this place so mesmerizing. JMU’s culture, people, and community just make you want to give everything you have because you know without asking, they would/will do the same for you. I barely let Lauren finish her sentence when she asked me to come on full time because I wanted to continue to build and be a part of the magic that this team, staff, school, and community have.”
Travis Magorien joins JMU after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia for two seasons where he helped lead their women’s volleyball team to its first 20-win season in nearly two decades during 2024.
“It is with great joy that I get to welcome Travis and his family back to JMU!” Steinbrecher stated. “He has one of the best offensive volleyball minds in the industry and a relentless commitment to excellence on and off the court. More importantly, Travis is an expert at building meaningful relationships with our student-athletes, staff and community which is the heartbeat of our culture. As our Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator he will elevate our gym in every way. Welcome home Travis Brooke Brady Baker Tanner – I am so glad you are here!”
Magorien previously worked with JMU between 2018-2019 as an assistant coach before spending periods at Oklahoma (2020-22), West Virginia (2023), then Virginia.
“Joining the James Madison University family is a profound honor,” Magorien said. “I am first and foremost thankful to Jesus for guiding my path to this incredible opportunity… This transition wouldn’t be possible without my wife Brooke; her unwavering support…I am eager to hit the ground running with Coach Lauren…Finally I want share my deep appreciation for Shannon at UVA—your mentorship has been instrumental in my growth…”
