After a two-month-long national coaching search, Josh Lauer was named as the new head coach of the women’s volleyball team at Troy.
The hiring comes after 11-year head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick resigned from his position following a 10-23 season.
Lauer has previously spent six years as an associate with Georgia, serving primarily as a defensive assistant, helping the team to lead the SEC in blocks in 2014. Prior to Georgia, Lauer came off three seasons at Alabama as an assistant and recruiting coordinator. As the teams recruiting coordinator, he oversaw Alabama’s first top-30 recruiting class in 2010.
The start of Lauer’s career came as a club coach in St. Louis for eight seasons, before he became the head coach at Missouri-St. Louis.
“My wife and I were excited about moving into the head coaching position and staying in the South, the area of the country we know,” said Lauer. “It fits the recruiting base and the coaches I’ve worked with the last 10 years. It turned out to be a pretty good fit.”
In the past 13 season, Troy has produced just two winning seasons.
“I think that changing the culture is out No. 1 goal, and that started from day one. Letting the team know that we are going to care about them and that we’re are going to set very clear standards as a team. It’s about creating a culture that’s bought in both on and off the court,” said Lauer.
The first step that Lauer is looking to take is to get the team back into the Sun Belt conference tournament. Lauer says once that happens then they can talk about what comes next.
Troy’s Athletic Director, Jeremy McLain, hired Lauer as a he has the proven ability to recruit in the state of Alabama and a strong defensive background.
Being hired so soon in the year, Lauer will have plenty of time to get to know the team and prepare them for the 2017 season.
Leave a Reply