Chad Callihan, a former Southern Conference coach of the year, has been hired as the new volleyball coach at Georgia Southern. Director of athletics Sam Baker announced the hiring Tuesday.
“When we started the search, we wanted our next coach to have the enthusiasm, energy and proven track record to turn our program around,” Baker said. “Chad exhibits all those qualities. He knows our history here at Georgia Southern and is a well-known name in the SoCon as well. I am excited about what Chad brings to our program.”
Callihan owns a 120-76 (.612) career record in six years as a head coach — four years at Appalachian State University (88-45/.662) and two at Radford University (32-31/.508). Not only have his teams succeeded on the court, they did so in the classroom as well. All four of his Mountaineer teams received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) team academic award.
He joins the Eagles after spending the 2007 campaign as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia. He helped with the Bulldogs' turnaround, turning a 6-25 record in 2006 to a 17-13 overall mark last fall.
Callihan is no stranger to facing Georgia Southern and competition in the Southern Conference, posting an .814 league winning percentage (57-13) during his tenure at App State. The 2004 SoCon coach of the year, Callihan led the Mountaineers to consecutive North Division championships (2003 and 2004), two regular season runner-up finishes and two appearances in the Tournament Championship match ('04 and 2005).
The seventh head coach in App State history, he quickly turned that program around. After getting off to a 2-10 start his first year, Callihan and the Mountaineers won 14 of their last 21 matches to finish 16-17 overall and a North Division-best 13-5 record. A victory in the 2003 conference tournament marked the program's first postseason win in six years.
Prior to his time at Appalachian State, Callihan worked four years at Radford University, the last two as head coach. The Highlanders posted a 24-7 record and captured the Big South Conference regular season title.
That year Radford rattled off 23 consecutive victories, the longest winning streak in the nation and finished a perfect 14-0 in the BSC. The Highlanders were ranked as high as sixth in the East Region.
Callihan spent three seasons as the head coach at Radford High School in Radford, Va., leading his team to their first regional appearance in 13 years and earning district coach of the year honors.
His coaching experience also includes coaching the Yokota Air Base women's volleyball team in Japan during his four years in the United States Air Force. The squad consisted of former Division I student-athletes.
Callihan and his wife Jess are the parents of two sons, Caleb and Macoy.
“When we started the search, we wanted our next coach to have the enthusiasm, energy and proven track record to turn our program around,” Baker said. “Chad exhibits all those qualities. He knows our history here at Georgia Southern and is a well-known name in the SoCon as well. I am excited about what Chad brings to our program.”
Callihan owns a 120-76 (.612) career record in six years as a head coach — four years at Appalachian State University (88-45/.662) and two at Radford University (32-31/.508). Not only have his teams succeeded on the court, they did so in the classroom as well. All four of his Mountaineer teams received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) team academic award.
He joins the Eagles after spending the 2007 campaign as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia. He helped with the Bulldogs' turnaround, turning a 6-25 record in 2006 to a 17-13 overall mark last fall.
Callihan is no stranger to facing Georgia Southern and competition in the Southern Conference, posting an .814 league winning percentage (57-13) during his tenure at App State. The 2004 SoCon coach of the year, Callihan led the Mountaineers to consecutive North Division championships (2003 and 2004), two regular season runner-up finishes and two appearances in the Tournament Championship match ('04 and 2005).
The seventh head coach in App State history, he quickly turned that program around. After getting off to a 2-10 start his first year, Callihan and the Mountaineers won 14 of their last 21 matches to finish 16-17 overall and a North Division-best 13-5 record. A victory in the 2003 conference tournament marked the program's first postseason win in six years.
Prior to his time at Appalachian State, Callihan worked four years at Radford University, the last two as head coach. The Highlanders posted a 24-7 record and captured the Big South Conference regular season title.
That year Radford rattled off 23 consecutive victories, the longest winning streak in the nation and finished a perfect 14-0 in the BSC. The Highlanders were ranked as high as sixth in the East Region.
Callihan spent three seasons as the head coach at Radford High School in Radford, Va., leading his team to their first regional appearance in 13 years and earning district coach of the year honors.
His coaching experience also includes coaching the Yokota Air Base women's volleyball team in Japan during his four years in the United States Air Force. The squad consisted of former Division I student-athletes.
Callihan and his wife Jess are the parents of two sons, Caleb and Macoy.
