PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh announced Sean Burdette has been named head volleyball coach at Bradley. The seventh head coach in program history, Burdette has been an assistant coach at Ohio State for the last five seasons, where he helped the Buckeyes to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in addition to national rankings in three of his five seasons in Columbus, Ohio.

"We are excited to have Sean joining our staff," Kavanagh said. "He brings to BU a strong background of success and we feel confident that he possesses the overall ingredients necessary to maximize the capabilities of our student-athlete both on the court and in the classroom. In turn, we eagerly anticipate Coach Burdette developing our program into one that will consistently rank within the upper echelon of the Missouri Valley Conference, in our annual pursuit of the Valley's automatic bid and beyond. "

A 1997 graduate of Ohio Dominican and native of Silver Spring, Md., Burdette helped Ohio State to a 101-54 (.652) overall record and 56-44 (.560) Big Ten mark. The Buckeyes camps coordinator, he was also the main recruiter for Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and the Eastern part of the United States.

"I want to thank Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh and President Glasser for selecting me as the women's volleyball coach at Bradley University," Burdette said. "Mr. Kavanagh and President Glasser have displayed a great vision not only for the women's volleyball program but for the entire athletic department at Bradley University and I am very honored to be welcomed into the Braves community to share and grow that vision. It is with that vision that I am excited to begin the next step in leading the Braves volleyball program towards new goals."

Ohio State posted a 30-4 overall record and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2004 after finishing second in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes were ranked sixth in the final AVCA Coaches Poll of 2004 and followed that up with a 22-9 overall record and second round NCAA Tournament appearance in addition to a third place Big Ten finish in 2005. Burdette helped Ohio State to a 25-8 overall record and fourth place finish in the Big Ten, while advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes finished the 2005 and 2006 seasons ranked 23rd and 16th, respectively, in the final AVCA poll.

Burdette helped lure three top 20 recruiting classes according to prepvolleyball.com, including the fourth ranked recruiting class in the nation in 2004. During his time in Columbus, Ohio, he helped train the AVCA National co-Player of the Year in Stacey Gordon. Burdette also coached seven AVCA All-Americans, one Big Ten Player of the Year, eight All-Big Ten First-Team selections and three All-Big Ten Freshman honorees.

In the classroom the Buckeyes boasted 23 Academic All-Big Ten Student-Athletes in addition to an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and two Academic All-District selections over the last five seasons.

Prior to joining the Ohio State coaching staff, Burdette was Associate Head Coach at Towson University from 2000 through the 2003 season. The Tigers won the 2001 America East Conference regular-season title, finishing the season with a 28-4 record and boasting the highest season winning percentage in school history. Towson went on to post a 23-10 record in Burdette's final season, marking the first back-to-back 20-win seasons in program history since the 1989 and 1990 seasons.

After graduating from Ohio Dominican University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Visual Communications, Burdette was an assistant coach at Pittsburgh for three seasons. He served as the recruiting coordinator for his final two seasons at Pitt, where he helped the Panthers to two Big East Tournament appearances.

While completing work toward his degree, Burdette spent one season as a volunteer assistant coach with the women's volleyball team at Ohio State during the 1996 season. The Buckeyes finished with a 27-6 record and finished third in the Big Ten en route to a NCAA Regional Semi-Finalist appearance.

Burdette also served as head coach for the women's collegiate club team at Ohio State from 1995-97, where led his squad to a semifinal finish in the 1997 National Collegiate Club Volleyball Championship. He also spent two seasons as the head coach for the men's club team at Ohio State, guiding his squads to consecutive "Sweet Sixteen" finishes in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Volleyball Championships.

He ventured into coaching at the high school level at Bexley High School in Columbus, Ohio, where he was freshman and junior varsity head coach in addition to assistant varsity coach from 1993-95.

A member of the Ohio State men's club team for four years, Burdette was team captain his final season. He helped the Buckeyes to a No. 2 national ranking, a MIVA Championship and Big Ten title in 1993.

He is married to the former Jacqueline Bunting. The couple has three children Brinley Mae, Carlyn Grace and Chase Olivia.