Coach Search -- Katie Schumacher-Cawley is the new coach

Just checked out Volleytalk. They are so tired of the topic that they are talking about football and wrestling.

No, everyone does not agree that "this has become a disaster and the program is going to have to settle for whatever coach is left and then expect everyone to rally around their 3rd or 4th choice."  You clearly are of that belief, and certainly entitled to that opinion.  But many do not share that opinion. 

There is disappointment, to be sure, but the "candidates of choice" have ranged from Katie Schumacher Cawley (I assume still a possibility, and there would be a smooth transition) to Nicole Fawcett (that was never, ever going to happen, nor IMHO, should it have happened) to Alyssa D'Errico (still a possibility, but I doubt it happens), to Salima (I don't think she was ever among Penn State's top choices, perhaps for reasons we're never going to be privy to, but which don't brand PSU as incompetent -- though reasonable people could disagree with the decision and undoubtedly will), to various current head coaches (there would necessarily be a delay if any of them were to be hired, for vetting reasons and contract negotiations), to, most recently Dan Fisher.  There are other names that have been mentioned.  Omission doesn't mean anything other than I have limited time to write this.

If I had one wish to transmute into a command, it would be that people talk about this with rationality and fact, not emotion and frustration.  This is not a disaster, as several posters have made clear in their posts.  Penn State aimed for the stars, and came very, very, very close.  That's not incompetence, that's really rotten luck.  But we should be glad they tried.  And if you think about it,  how many programs would that guy have considered moving to?  I think no more than two or three. 

The most important thing moving forward -- regardless of who is hired -- is what level of support they are given: budgetary (to hire the best assistant(s); recruiting; technology; strength and conditioning; scouting; player facilities -- the whole shebang).  That is going to be my focus.  

Sermon ended.

Russ Rose was not a rock star when he was hired.  I wouldn't rule out Katie just yet -- and certainly not because she isn't viewed as a "rock star." 

This job has officially been open only two weeks and there were two holidays during that interval. That Dan Fisher was a close miss demonstrates that Barbour DOES have a target list, we know only that Fisher was high on it and Salima was not high on it. Barbour's legacy will not be defined by this hire, the volleyball fandom is not big enough. Barbour's legacy will be defined by the Shrewsberry hire and how Franklin performs under his new contract.

As to resources for the volleyball program that Jagdpanther is constantly wailing about, I assume resources for all non-revenue sports are tight in light of the big revenue loses suffered during the Covid year. How is that different than at any other D-I school? Penn State's ICA is expected to be self-funding (thanks, football!). How many other schools have self-funding athletics departments, a dozen? I bet Pitt's athletic department gets help from Pitt's general revenues, like at most schools.

I'm rooting for Kelli Miller Phillips (Ball State), Michelle Collier (Georgia Tech) or Kirsten Bernthal Booth, although I doubt KBB is interested in leaving Creighton. Somewhere out there is an assistant who is a future HoF coach; the tall challenge, of course, is figuring out who that is. I doubt lightning strikes twice that way for Penn State.

I'll judge whether this is a great, good or disastrous hiring process once I see the selectee perform for a year. Even John Cook or Kelly Sheffield would struggle with the returning roster as it is now. As much as I admire Russ Rose, future near-term mediocrity rests on his doorstep, not Sandy Barbour's.

This is what I think too.  Whoever comes in will struggle.  The portal makes it a little easier to refill the cupboard but following the winningest coach of all time will be tricky at best, and I don't know that even a "rockstar" would be immediately successful.   

I joined the forum this evening and have been checking it periodically to see if a new head coach has been announced. I was born and raised in Ohio and moved to the metro Atlanta area after college. I teach Economics and have coached high school lacrosse, wrestling, and volleyball. I am a huge Ohio State fan. However, when it comes to women’s volleyball, I will always root for Penn State! I just wanted to say that I have always been impressed with ALL of the coaches at Penn State. Recently, I’ve been most impressed with Coach Katie. Whether I’m watching the BIG TEN network, BIG TEN plus, or ESPN it is apparent that Coach Katie has positive relationships with the players. She is always encouraging from the sidelines. Just wanted to put that out there. Whoever is the new coach, I’ll continue to support the program. Looking forward to the 2022 season. I have a feeling it will be one to remember (in a positive way that is)!!!