Andrew Sato

Andrew Sato is an Assistant Coach at Cal Berkeley.

California volleyball head coach Jen Malcom announced the addition of Andrew Sato as her first assistant coach on the new Golden Bears staff on Thursday. Sato, who acted as a volunteer assistant for the 2017 Cal volleyball team, returns to Berkeley after stints at Nebraska, UTSA and Cal State Fullerton.

"Sato comes from a long lineage of volleyball players and coaches – I couldn't be more thrilled to have him on staff," Malcom said. "His experience working with some of the top men's and women's coaches in the nation, as well as his playing experience, have made him the coach that he is today. Throughout the hiring process, he has continuously shown me why he is the right person for this position with his volleyball knowledge, fun spirit and willingness to grind. He will be great for our players and I know they will love playing for him."

During his three-year tenure at Cal State Fullerton (2021-23), Sato helped oversee the development of four All-Big West honorable mention players, as well as two All-Big West Freshman Team selections. Prior to his time with the Titans, Sato spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant with the UTSA Roadrunners after two years as volunteer assistant for powerhouse Nebraska. During those two seasons, the Huskers posted a combined 57-12 record, reaching the NCAA title match in 2018 and the Madison Regional Final in 2019.

His decorated playing career at Long Beach State saw him collect 979 total digs, which remains a program record. Sato helped lead the 49ers to two straight Final Fours (2016-17), earning First Team All-America status in 2017 after an honorable mention nod the previous year. His other career accolades include four All-MPSF honors (2013 – All-Freshman; 2014 – Honorable Mention; 2016 – Honorable Mention; 2017 – Second-Team). As a senior, he also received the Erik Shoji Award, which is given to the top libero in Division I-II each year.

A native of Calabasas, Sato graduated from Long Beach State with a degree in sport psychology. His father, Gary, is currently an assistant coach for USC men's volleyball and has been on the staff of four U.S. Men's Olympic teams, including two medal-winning squads that also included Sato's uncle, Eric, as a player (1988, 1992). His aunt, Liane, also played on two Olympic volleyball teams, earning a bronze medal in 1992