Cole Tallman Steps Down As Mount Olive's Head Men’s And Women’s Volleyball Coach
Cole Tallman Steps Down As Head Men’s And Women’s
Volleyball Coach
July 16, 2012
-courtesy of Mount Olive sports information
Cole Tallman, who has coached in more in than 1,000 collegiate
volleyball matches, is stepping down as head men’s and
women’s volleyball coach at Mount Olive College. Tallman, who
took over the Trojan volleyball programs in January 2009, has a
career record of 761-386 (.664 winning percentage) coaching in all
three NCAA Divisions, as well as at the junior college level.
“We appreciate all that Cole did for our men’s and
women’s volleyball teams over the last four years,”
said director of athletics Jeff Eisen. “Both teams were very
competitive under his leadership, but perhaps more importantly, he
had a genuine sense of caring for his student-athletes and a
passion for Mount Olive College. We wish him well in his pursuit of
new endeavors.”
Tallman guided the Trojan men’s volleyball team to four
consecutive winning seasons, including Conference Carolinas regular
season and tournament championships in 2010 and 2011. Tallman was
named 2010 Conference Carolinas Men’s Volleyball Coach of the
Year, the first year men’s volleyball became a conference
sport. The Trojans have reached the tournament championship match
in each of the last three years.
The Trojan women’s volleyball team won 12 of its final 16
regular season matches in 2011 to post a 16-14 overall record and
finish second in the Conference Carolinas East Division. Mount
Olive posted a winning conference record in two of Tallman’s
three seasons of women’s volleyball at the college, including
a 12-6 conference mark in 2009.
Tallman cited personal reasons for his decision.
“I’m very grateful to Mount Olive for my time
here,” said Tallman, whose resignation is effective July 31.
“After more than 30 years of coaching, I decided I was ready
for a change.”
Assistant coach Sarah Lusk will serve as interim head coach for
the Trojan men’s and women’s volleyball teams while a
nationwide search is underway. For the first time since Mount Olive
added men’s volleyball in 2003, the Trojan men’s
volleyball team and women’s volleyball team will each have
its own head coach.