Bernthal Booth Steps Away From Creighton Volleyball
OMAHA, Neb. – Brian Rosen has been named head coach of the Creighton volleyball program, McCormick Endowed Athletic Director Marcus Blossom announced on Sunday, April 6. Rosen replaces Kirsten Bernthal Booth, who after 22 remarkable seasons is resigning to pursue opportunities outside of coaching but will remain involved in fundraising efforts for the CU volleyball program.
“While we celebrate the incredible success of Coach Booth, we are excited to continue the tradition of excellence within the Creighton volleyball program with Coach Brian Rosen at the helm,” said Blossom. “Brian is a tireless worker, nationally respected recruiter, and in-game tactician. He is a great teammate and has been an integral part of our success since his arrival in 2022. I believe we will reach new heights in every aspect of our program and I’m certain our passionate Bluejay fans will continue to enjoy watching our exceptional student-athletes this fall and into the future under his leadership.”
“The opportunity to lead the Creighton volleyball program is a dream come true, and I would like to thank Fr. Hendrickson and Marcus Blossom for their trust in me to follow one of the greatest coaches of all-time,” said Rosen.
“Thank you does not do justice to what Coach Booth has meant to me and to my family ever since she gave us the opportunity to move to Omaha and join the Creighton community,” continued Rosen. “I know how important this program and all the student-athletes, past and present, are to her, so this opportunity to build on her legacy and put our student-athletes first is not a role that I take lightly.
“There is simply no place like Creighton, and we cannot wait to be back in D.J. Sokol Arena this fall, playing in front of Bluejay Nation! Go Jays!”
The 2024 AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, Rosen has spent the previous three seasons at Creighton. He served as assistant coach in 2022 and 2023 before being promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2024 campaign. During his tenure, he has been the program’s recruiting coordinator, worked closely with middle blockers, organized daily practices and assisted in the scouting of upcoming opponents.
Creighton is a combined 88-13 in three seasons with Rosen on the bench, picking up 10 Top 25 wins and sweeping the BIG EAST regular-season and tournament titles each year. The 88 victories and .871 winning percentage rank third-best nationally in that time, trailing only Pittsburgh and Nebraska. The Bluejays reached the program’s first Sweet 16 since 2016 in 2023 and last fall returned to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015 before falling in five sets to eventual national champion Penn State.
Creighton is 46-2 since Rosen’s arrival inside D.J. Sokol Arena, in addition to being 57-3 at all sites against BIG EAST competition. The BIG EAST has recognized Creighton with Coaching Staff of the Year honors after each of the last two years.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to see Brian take over as the head coach of Creighton volleyball,” said Booth. “He's an exceptional coach, recruiter, and mentor who is deeply committed to the growth and success of our student-athletes, both on and off the court. With our outstanding staff staying in place, the program will continue to thrive and reach new heights. Brian has my full support, and I’m excited to watch the continued success of Creighton volleyball."
Before coming to Creighton, Rosen served as the head coach at Division II Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he compiled a 45-17 overall record. He led the Sharks to a 20-11 record in 2019, including a six-match win streak to end the year and clinch NSU’s first 20-win campaign since 2008.
After the 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosen’s 2021 squad won its first 13 matches and finished 25-6 while reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. NSU set program records for consecutive wins (19), home wins (16), Sunshine State Conference wins (16) and SSC winning percentage (.828). The Sharks were also one of two teams to defeat eventual national champion, Tampa.
All three of his Nova Southeastern squads won AVCA Team Academic Awards.
Rosen took over the NSU program after spending two years at Davidson College as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. In addition to coaching for the Wildcats, Rosen also served as the Carolina Juniors Club Director and National Team coach from 2009-18.
Immediately before joining the Wildcats, Rosen served as the head coach at Providence (N.C.) High School, producing an undefeated regular-season to win conference and tournament titles, garnering 2016 Conference and South Charlotte Weekly Coach of the Year honors.
Rosen also spent seven years (2009-16) as the girl’s head volleyball coach at Charlotte Country Day School. During his tenure, he coached the program to an overall record of 169-66, earning two state championship and conference titles in 2013 and 2014. After those two stellar seasons, he was named the Charlotte Observer Coach of the Year. In 2012 and 2013, he was named the South Charlotte News & South Charlotte Weekly Coach of the Year.
Rosen has been recognized in 2023 by Volleyball Magazine as a “College Coaching Hotshot” in addition to being honored with the AVCA Thirty Under 30 award in 2013 when he was one of just two high school coaches mentioned.
Rosen earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport and Entertainment Management, graduating cum laude from the University of South Carolina in 2008, and picked up his Master’s in Leadership from Nova Southeastern in 2024.
He lives in Omaha with his wife Angelica, and daughters Bryce (11) and Brady (4).
Booth led the Bluejays to unprecedented heights in 22 seasons on the Creighton sideline, including 502 wins, 14 NCAA Tournament trips, 12 regular-season conference titles and 11 conference tournament championships. Her teams earned 17 AVCA Team Academic Awards and featured nine women who combined for 12 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America accolades.
“After 22 unforgettable years as the head coach of Creighton volleyball, I am stepping down with a heart full of gratitude,” said Booth. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to coach so many remarkable women who have not only excelled on the court but have also inspired me with their determination, character, and heart. Watching them grow, achieve their goals, and become leaders in their own lives has been an immense privilege.
“I am also deeply grateful for the incredible colleagues I've had the pleasure of working alongside throughout my journey at Creighton,” continued Booth. “From assistant coaches to athletic staff, administrators, and support personnel, your dedication and passion have made every challenge worthwhile and every success even sweeter. Our shared commitment to the program and to our student-athletes has been the foundation of everything we've built together.”
“Kirsten Bernthal Booth has built an incredible legacy of success during her 22 years at Creighton,” said Blossom. “She has led our volleyball program to 11 consecutive BIG EAST regular season titles, 13 straight NCAA appearances, a Sweet 16 and Elite Eight appearance over the last two years, and has earned many other volleyball-specific accomplishments.
“Her impact on Creighton University extends well beyond on-court achievements,” continued Blossom. “She has been a great member of our Bluejay community and has helped provide a transformational experience to so many incredible volleyball student-athletes. These young women, the Omaha community, and the sport of volleyball is better because of the hard work, dedication, integrity, and passion that she has embodied each day she has served Creighton. She will always be a Bluejay.”
Booth inherited a 3-23 program that was playing at a local high school when she was hired on February 3, 2003, before authoring one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of the sport.
Her first Bluejay team won 12 matches, and the program reached its first NCAA Tournament at the Division I level in 2010, upsetting No. 15 Iowa State in its postseason debut. CU’s 2012 team went 29-4, sweeping both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles, while moving into the national rankings for the first time.
The Bluejays joined the BIG EAST Conference in 2013 and have dominated the league ever since, winning 11 straight regular-season titles and earning the league tournament crown in 10 of those campaigns. Booth’s 10 BIG EAST Tournament titles are the most of any volleyball coach in league history. Since joining the BIG EAST, CU is 188-16 in league play and 21-2 in conference tournament action. CU’s 267 overall victories from 2015-2024 rank fourth-most nationally.
Booth is a three-time National Coach of the Year, six-time Conference Coach of the Year and five-time AVCA Regional Coach of the Year. She has also been serving as president of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Under Booth’s leadership, Creighton has reached the Sweet 16 four times and the Elite Eight twice while being one of seven schools nationally to appear in each of the last 13 NCAA Tournaments. Last year’s team earned its best year-end ranking (No. 6) in program history after finishing 32-3 and losing a five-set road match to eventual national champion Penn State in the Regional Final.
Five recent Bluejay alums are currently playing professional indoor volleyball in the United States, and Taryn Kloth became Creighton’s first female Olympian in school history when she competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics in Beach Volleyball.
Booth concludes her Creighton coaching career with a 502-192 record. She’s led more teams to the NCAA Tournament (14) than any head coach in the history of Creighton Athletics, and her 502 victories rank fifth-most in school history (all sports).
“As I step away, my love for this program and University remains unwavering,” added Booth. “Thank you to the Creighton community, our fans, and all who have supported us through the years. While my time as head coach has come to an end, I will forever cherish the memories, relationships, and lessons that Creighton volleyball has given me. Go Jays!”
The Kirsten Bernthal Booth File
Kirkwood Community College (Head Coach)
Year W L Pct. Highlights
2000 37 12 .755 2nd at NJCAA nationals
2001 36 18 .667 4th at NJCAA nationals
2002 39 11 .780 10-1 at home
Totals 112 41 .732 Two-time District Coach of the Year
Creighton University (Head Coach)
Year W L Pct. Highlights
2003 12 18 .400 Record crowds, 9-win improvement
2004 18 11 .621 Record 18 wins, 2 tournament titles
2005 16 14 .533 Record crowds, first win over Northern Iowa
2006 21 10 .677 Record 21 wins, MVC Tourney semi’s
2007 21 10 .677 Tie-2nd in MVC, became CU win leader
2008 18 9 .667 2nd in MVC, first to reach 100+ wins
2009 14 17 .452 Opened D.J. Sokol Arena; First Top 25 win
2010 21 12 .636 NCAA Tourney; National Coach of Year
2011 17 14 .548 Earned 150th win at Creighton on 9/30
2012 29 4 .879 NCAA Tourney; MVC RS/Tourney champs
2013 23 9 .719 NCAA Tourney; Beat #13 BYU; 200th win at CU
2014 25 9 .735 NCAA Tourney; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2015 27 9 .750 NCAA Tourney Sweet 16; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2016 29 7 .806 NCAA Tourney Elite 8; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2017 26 7 .788 NCAA Tourney 2nd Round; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2018 29 5 .853 NCAA Tourney 2nd Round; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2019 25 6 .806 NCAA Tourney 2nd Round; BIG EAST reg.-season champ
2020 12 4 .750 NCAA Tourney; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2021 31 4 .886 NCAA Tourney; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs; 400th CU win
2022 27 5 .844 NCAA Tourney; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2023 29 5 .853 NCAA Tourney Sweet 16; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
2023 32 3 .914 NCAA Tourney Elite 8; BIG EAST RS/Tourney champs
Totals 502 192 .723 All-Time Creighton Wins Leader; 14 NCAA’s; 3x NCOY
Career 613 233 .725