GLASSBORO, NJ - Rowan University welcomes back alumnus Casey Burford to become the Profs' head women's volleyball coach, it was announced by Director of Athletics Shawn Tucker. She becomes the ninth coach in the program's history.
 
Burford (nee Grasso) returns to her alma mater after serving as the head coach at Catholic University for the past two seasons and brings years of experience at the Division I and Division III levels as an assistant coach.
 
"Casey is a Rowan Prof and to welcome her back in this leadership capacity signifies a great day for Rowan University Volleyball! Casey stood out during the screening process and carried the right leadership demeanor, student-centric philosophy and volleyball aptitude to give our committee confidence that she will shepherd our young women and future Profs to even greater heights," said Tucker. "Coach Deana (Jespersen) instituted a strong culture of family and togetherness, and I'm confident that Coach Casey will build upon that similar philosophy to lead our program to success on and off the court."
 
"I want to thank the search committee, Shawn Tucker, and everyone in Rowan Athletics for the opportunity to come home to Rowan University as the next head volleyball coach," said Burford. "This program has always meant so much to me because of my experience here as a student-athlete, alum, and student-assistant coach. I'm truly excited by the work Deana did to shape Rowan volleyball into the culture and program it is today and feel so lucky to be a part of it again."
 
"Returning to my alma mater and being part of this program feels like a full circle moment, and I'm excited to work with a group of strong, talented young women as we continue to grow together."
 
In 2025, Burford led the Cardinals to 14 overall wins and third place in the Landmark Conference with a 7-2 mark while the team recorded its first home win in the conference tournament since 2013. In Burford's first season in 2024, Catholic won 15 games and earned the program's first win in the Landmark Tournament since 2013.
 
Burford saw five of her players earn All-Conference honors in two seasons while three Cardinals were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, which are the most selections in the program's history.
 
Prior to arriving at Catholic, she was an assistant coach at Goucher College for two seasons, working with fellow Rowan alum Maggie Catherina. She also had assistant coaching stints at Delaware State and Frostburg State.
 
Burford (nee Grasso) played at Rowan from 2010 to 2014 and was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, while also serving as a team captain for two seasons.
 
She earned her bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 2014 but stayed at Rowan to serve for as a student assistant coach for one season under the late Deana Jespersen, whom she now succeeds as the Profs' head coach. Burford received her master's degree in school counseling from Frostburg State in 2017.
 
Burford has also been active in club volleyball, coaching with the Mystique Volleyball Club, Delaware Juniors Volleyball and Frostburg Volleyball Club.
 
Originally from Wilmington, DE, Burford and her husband, Dominic, have two sons, Jaylen and Niko.