SUNY New Paltz Athletics

Tony Bonilla, who compiled a 197-150 record across 12 years at the helm of the State University of New York at New Paltz men’s volleyball program from 1988-95 and from 1997-2000, will begin his 14th season as an assistant coach on current head men’s volleyball coach Radu Petrus’ staff ahead of the 2025 season.

As the lead assistant alongside Petrus, Bonilla has helped the team to a winning record of .701 with two national championships in 2016 and 2019. 

Bonilla, who was inducted into the New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002, was an accomplished student-athlete at New Paltz from 1983-86, and just one year following his graduation, he became just the second-ever head coach of the Hawk men’s volleyball program, taking over for legendary coach Bill Odeneal. In addition to his duties at the helm of the men’s volleyball program, Bonilla served as New Paltz women’s volleyball’s head coach from 1992-99, achieving a record of 201-114 and earning State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Co-Coach of the Year honors in 1998.

As a four-year student-athlete, he helped the team compile an impressive 111-9 record during his tenure on the squad and was a member of the back-to-back-to-back Eastern Collegiate Volleyball League championship teams from 1984-86. He graduated from New Paltz in 1987.