Head Coach Don Perkins embarked into new territory during 2011 as Kean University promoted the men’s volleyball program to varsity status.  During the team’s first season, they posted an 11-23 record, including a 4-8 mark in the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Metro Division.  In 2012, the first season that the NCAA garnered the sport with a Division III National Championship, the program jumped right into the national scene as the Cougars captured the Skyline Conference Championship.  With the win, Kean advanced to the inaugural NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championships in Springfield, Massachusetts.  For his efforts, Perkins was tabbed as the Skyline Conference Coach of the Year.  In all, the Cougars set a new season standard in wins posting a 25-11 record and a 13-1 mark in the Skyline.  The program also set the bar high as junior Steve Vahalla became the program’s first All-American, as he capped the season earning American Volleyball Coaches Association Second-Team All-American honors after also being named the Skyline Player of the Year.  Vahalla ranked 11^th in the country in kills per game (3.69), while his .333 hitting percentage was ranked 16^th in the nation.  Vahalla also excelled in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Region II All-Academic honors. 

In his first three seasons Perkins has tallied a 42-53 overall women’s record, with the Cougars recording their first winning season since 2002 during the 2010 campaign. 

Perkins joined the Cougar staff in 2009 after a two year stint as the assistant coach at Mississippi State University.  While at Mississippi State, Perkins was responsible for working with the outside hitters as well as strengthening the serving game.  At MSU, he coordinated the recruiting program and oversaw team travel and scheduling.

Prior to arriving at Mississippi State, Perkins was the head coach at SUNYIT (The State University of New York Institute of Technology).  While at SUNYIT, Perkins restructured the women's program while also undertaking the task of developing a varsity level men's program.

In all, Perkins has over 14 years of coaching experience ranging from summer camps and club teams to working with USA Volleyball in training and evaluation.  He also established the High Performance Program for Upstate New York, and created the Great Nor'easter youth volleyball tournament in Albany, New York.  Perkins was also a student-athlete at Syracuse University and was a member of the men's volleyball club.

Perkins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Syracuse University in 2000 and his master's degree in public administration from the University of Albany, Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Public Affairs in 2002.