ULM has hired Patrick Hiltz as it’s new volleyball coach, per Athletics Director Bobby Staub.

“We are excited to have coach Hiltz on board as the new leader of the Warhawk volleyball program,” Staub said. “We are confident that he will do a tremendous job leading our program.”

Hiltz replaces Ernest Vasquez, who was fired on Jan. 8. Staub called Vasquez’s dismissal a “personnel matter” and would not comment further on the change.

A former Warhawk assistant coach, Hiltz returns to Monroe after spending one season as the head coach at Nicholls State. He will also lead the sand volleyball team in their inaugural season this spring.

“It is great to be back at ULM, but honestly I never felt like I really left as I followed the football team’s amazing season,” Hiltz said. “ULM gave me my first opportunity at the Division I level and I am excited to lead the Warhawks.”

Under Hiltz, the Colonels finished 2012 with an 11-19 record and the seventh seed in the Southland Conference tournament.

Sand volleyball begins it’s season on Saturday, March 9 at the Ron Jon Surf Shop Beach ‘N’ Boards tournament.