West Virginia State University has tapped an Ohio prep volleyball coaching record-holder to become its new volleyball coach.
The Yellow Jackets announced Wednesday that Kris Kern, most recently the coach at Logan Elm High School in Circleville, Ohio, will become their new head volleyball coach. He replaces interim coach Dr. Jennifer Bulger, who led the team last season after former head coach Shannon Gerencir took the head coaching job at Lock Haven.
Kern's 762 wins in stints at six high schools is an Ohio state record. He has receive the All Ohio State Coaches Achievement Award three times, and has led his teams to 19 conference titles, 33 sectional championships, 14 district titles, and two regional titles. He also spent two seasons coaching at NCAA Division III Kenyon College.
"Kris has a proven record of success as a head coach, and his connections to high school and club volleyball will be an asset in building our volleyball program," State athletic director Nate Burton said. "We are confident that he will lead our student-athletes and our volleyball program to great things on and off the court."
This past year at Logan Elm High, he took the team to the state semifinals and finished with a 28-1 record.
"I'm really excited," Kern said. "I think West Virginia State is a great opportunity because of its proximity to a lot of good volleyball players. I think the program is a real diamond in the rough."
The Yellow Jackets went 6-22 last season, its third straight where it failed to reach double-digit wins.