Newly minted Texas A&M head coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn is building her staff, as she announced the addition of former Louisville assistant Kolby O’Donnell as associate head coach.
O’Donnell spent 2017 as Louisville, helping the Cardinals to a 24-7 record, the ACC title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
“There is a deep level of trust I have with Kolby and his overall attention to detail,” Kuhn said. “His ability to connect with recruits and share the vision of our Aggie program is something that will have an instant impact. We are on the same page when it comes to communication and building a winning culture, and I am beyond excited to have him on board.”
Prior to joining the Louisville staff, O’Donnell served as an assistant at UC Santa Barbara for four years, including a Big West title and NCAA berth in 2013, at the University of Miami (2012), at Appalachian State (2008-2012) and at Radford (2006-08).
“My family and I are incredibly thankful to be a part of Texas A&M Volleyball,” O’Donnell said. “Texas A&M is a special place; I felt it the first time I stepped on campus. I was so impressed by the deep-rooted traditions and history of the program and university, a premier academic institution located in one of the hotbeds for recruiting in volleyball.
“I’ve known Bird a long time and consider her an elite-level coach and recruiter as well as a very close friend. We have had many conversations about the opportunity to work together. We share many of the same philosophies and beliefs when it comes to coaching, training and how to treat our student-athletes. I’m excited to get to College Station, meet the team and start working towards our goals for the program.”
O’Donnell was a four-year letterwinner at middle hitter for Lees-McCrae College, acting as captain for two years and leading the Bobcats to a 66-26 record.
Former A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli resigned in November after 25 years in charge of the program, and with her went the team’s former associate head coach: her husband John.
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