Cole Tallman Steps Down As Mount Olive's Head Men’s And Women’s Volleyball Coach

Cole Tallman Steps Down As Mount Olive's Head Men’s And Women’s Volleyball Coach

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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.