TOKYO (AP) — The Japan Volleyball Association says it has appointed Gary Sato of the United States as head coach of its men's national team.

The 58-year-old Sato, a former assistant coach with the U.S. men's team, becomes the first foreign coach of either Japan's men's or women's national team.

The association has been looking for a new coach since the men's team failed to qualify for the London Olympics.

Sato was assistant coach for the U.S. men's team that won the gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He was also an assistant when the U.S. finished tied for fifth in London last year.

Sato was head coach when the U.S. men's team won the gold medal at the 1985 World Cup in Japan.