ANAHEIM, Calif. — Karch Kiraly is back in volleyball.

This time, though, he'll be blowing the practice whistle.

The 48-year-old Kiraly was introduced as the new assistant coach for the U.S. women's national volleyball team on Thursday at the Anaheim Sports Center.

Kiraly is one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport, having won three Olympic gold medals as a member of the men's national team in 1984, '88 and '96. He was also a popular pro on the AVP tour before he retired in 2007.

"It just seems like an utterly natural progression for me. I tend to go into the total immersion," Kiraly said. "When I wanted to be a good player, I did everything I could to try to reach a world class level and I just see this as an incredible opportunity to learn under Hugh McCutcheon."

McCutcheon, the women's head coach, could learn a few tricks from his new assistant.

Kiraly is arguably one of the greatest indoor volleyball players. He won two gold medals on the indoor level and made the leap to beach volleyball when the sport made its Olympic debut in 1996 to win his third.

"It's great. We're trying to be the best and it's nice to have someone who has been through that process as part of your team," McCutcheon said.

"He has a lot of knowledge about the game and one of his qualities was making those around him better. I think he'll fit just fine."

The women won a silver medal in Beijing and Kiraly wants to help boost the team to an even better showing in competition leading up to the 2012 Olympics.

"There are some really exciting, amazing possibilities and great potential for the women to be a threat, to be a contender at every international competition. It would be awesome to be a part of an effort that leads to something really special," said Kiraly, who led UCLA to three NCAA volleyball championships before playing for the national team.

Kiraly's only coaching experience has been on the high school level, but McCutcheon saw potential in the former pro after several conversations and a number of positive references.

So he hired him.

"I think we'll work really well together," McCutcheon said.

Kiraly is only two years into retirement, but he won't be getting on the court anytime soon to show off his moves.

"Unlike some coaches who get into coaching because they are former players and they want to keep playing, that's not a part of the coaching deal here," Kiraly said. "I still play a bunch, I just don't compete. My wife plays several days a week and one of their foursome might get sick so they tell me to strap my skirt on. We get very long rallies because I don't put the ball away."

USA Volleyball and the city of Anaheim are currently negotiating to have the U.S. women's national team train in Anaheim. The contract should be completed in a few days, McCutcheon said.