A successful program isn’t just built by those on the court.

It’s also built by those on the sidelines.

And for UCLA men’s volleyball, dominance throughout the 2026 season wouldn’t have been possible without associate head coach Milan Zarkovic.

Zarkovic arrived in Westwood in September after spending 12 years at Hawai‘i, serving as associate head coach from 2016-24. During that span, the Rainbow Warriors made seven NCAA tournament appearances, winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022.

Zarkovic was named AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023 for his efforts in Mānoa, cementing his place as a top coach in collegiate men’s volleyball.

He also fueled Hawai‘i’s growth into a perennial powerhouse, leading the Rainbow Warriors to a winning percentage north of 75% and achieving five of the best records in program history during his tenure with the squad.

“It (Hawaii) was a really nice and successful operation,” Zarkovic said in a May 2 interview with IE Sports Radio. “Leaving those nice, wonderful people and also players.”

Zarkovic’s coaching success can be best explained by one attribute: experience.

Even before his time at Hawai‘i, Zarkovic boasted an extensive playing and coaching career. Spending 15 years as a player in Serbia, Zarkovic joined Partizan Belgrade in 1982 and served as the club’s captain until 1989. He was also a standout member of the Serbian national team, making 67 total match appearances.

As a coach, Zarkovic began in 1990 with VC Anorthosis Limassol in Cyprus. Coaching for over 20 years at nine different clubs, he led each of his squads to titles in their respective leagues.

Zarkovic also served as head coach of the Serbian Junior National Team from 2001-13, leading the team to two bronze medal finishes. Under Zarkovic, Serbia improved its FIVB ranking from No. 28 in 2003 to No. 1 in 2010.

So it is no surprise Zarkovic was able to mesh so quickly with the standard of excellence at UCLA. Still, he said the transition took some getting used to.

“Coming to California was also one challenge, and I think it’s a level up just for volleyball,” Zarkovic said. “Most of the players (on the American national team) are coming from this program, so that was an additional responsibility.”

The beginning of Zarkovic’s tenure at UCLA came with a unique challenge.

UCLA was looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking sweep in the national championship to Long Beach State after the squad seemed poised to collect a third straight title. Those aspirations seemed even more difficult after the departure of 2025 MPSF Player of the Year Cooper Robinson, a cornerstone of the program during his time in Westwood.

And while the 2026 campaign didn’t end with championship No. 22 for the blue and gold, Zarkovic helped fuel a season for the history books.

“Milan has brought so much joy to this team,” said head coach John Hawks after UCLA defeated then-No.14 Lewis on March 12. “He’s one of the top coaches in the world, and the guys have all embraced him. He’s made us all better.”

UCLA came out 20-0 to begin the season – the best start in program history. Fourteen of those 20 matches ended in sweeps for the Bruins, and 15 of them saw opponents tally below a .300 hitting percentage.

At the same time, elite production came from up and down the roster.

Senior setter Andrew Rowan, named the 2026 AVCA Player of the Year, tallied at least 40 assists in 10 of the matches during that win streak, while sophomore outside hitter Sean Kelly averaged 12.2 kills per match on a .407 clip during that span.

In between rallies, Zarkovic is vocal with his players, constantly adapting to the opponents’ approaches to ensure the success of his squad. During each timeout, Zarkovic made his presence known in the huddle as he emphatically communicated with the team before sending them back out onto the court.

Zarkovic could even be heard hollering from the sidelines when each of his players approached the service line, chanting unique rallies for each Bruin to hype them up for an ace.

And in 2026, Zarkovic was named the AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year for the third time in his coaching career.

“It (Zarkovic’s coaching style) was tough to adapt to at first,” said senior outside hitter Zach Rama during MPSF Men’s Volleyball Media Day in December. “He has a different coaching style, and it’s pretty unique. But once you get used to it, … if you don’t like Milan, you’re doing something wrong.”

Now, Rama, Rowan and senior middle blocker Cameron Thorne are set to depart from the program in the offseason. The trio earned a total of seven AVCA First Team All-American selections during their time at UCLA.

Several less experienced members of the roster are likely to see elevated roles next season. Hawks may also attempt to bring in some new faces from the transfer portal to fill the gap left behind by the team’s elite senior core.

But Hawks will have Zarkovic by his side to provide the veteran presence this squad will need to maintain excellence in 2027.

“That is the pleasure,” Zarkovic said. “To cooperate together, make something that will leave the good path for our team for the next year and the next years.”