Bump, Set….Search?
A number of Bluefield University athletic teams have lost their head coach in recent months, including women’s soccer, men’s basketball, and most recently women’s volleyball. As the search continues, Athletic Director Corey Mullins shares some insights into the process of finding a new coach for our Lady Rams.
“Like with every search, it’s a combination of advertisement, but also networking and reaching out to coaches that we know that are in similar institutions like Bluefield.” Mullins said. “We’re collecting applications right now from some candidates, and we’ll begin the review process here shortly.”
As to what is happening to ensure the volleyball team will be ‘set up’ well, Mullins guarantees the quality of the team behind the decision of whom to hire.
“There will be a committee that is put together with some athletic staff, some coaches, and maybe a faculty representative,” Mullins said.
Much like other teams in the same position, members of the women’s volleyball team will be included in the process of selecting a new coach.
“The teams have an opportunity to kind of meet with the coaching candidates and have a say with what direction they feel like, and so we’ll do the same thing with women’s volleyball,” Mullins said.
But even beyond the process of choosing a new coach, Mullins shared some necessary qualities that the new coach must possess. Among them is faith, which is at the core of Bluefield University.
“Somebody who just understands what makes Bluefield special,” Mullins said. “I think faith is a big part of that.”
Leadership is also a large component of being a successful coach, especially in leading our Lady Rams to victory and beyond.
“I think the leadership piece is huge,” Mullins said. “Leadership ability and the ability to mentor young women and help that team continue to grow and improve.”
In the meantime, the women’s volleyball team is left without a coach, but despite this hardship, Mullins said the players are still devoted to their sport and team.
“It’s a pretty mature group, a pretty intelligent group,” he said. “I have enjoyed our conversations with them as we try to work together to find the next leader.”
Sophomore player Chesed Russell can attest to the quality of her team, even without a coach.
“I think our team leaders/seniors have really stepped up,” Russell said. “They plan out our team workouts for us and open gyms. We have also had a lot of help from our assistant coach, Kyle (Pietzrak), Coach (Keven) John (head coach for men’s volleyball), Kristen Parker (director of athletic communication), and some recent graduates who have helped us with practices, fundraising, and even just planning fun activities for us to keep our team bonded.”
Even though the team is doing well without a coach, there is still uncertainty clouding the next season. Regardless of this dilemma, Russell remains optimistic.
“Having no coach has given me a feeling of uncertainty, especially when it comes to recruiting new players for next year, but Coach Kyle and Coach John have done an amazing job of bringing new girls in,” Russell said. “We have had recent commits, even without having a head coach, and I am very excited for next season.”