COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Long Beach State's Alan Knipe is the new coach of the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's volleyball team.

The 40-year-old Knipe will take a leave of absence from Long Beach State to coach the national team through the 2012 Olympics in London.

Knipe replaces Hugh McCutcheon, coach of the men's team that defeated Brazil for the gold medal in Beijing. McCutcheon took over the women's national team after coach Jenny Lang Ping stepped down.

Knipe has been head coach at Long Beach State for the past nine seasons.