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National Search to Find Next Head Coach Underway

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥� Head Women鈥檚 Volleyball Coach Eric Plunkett has resigned from his position, the Department of Athletics announced on Thursday. A national search for 海角网鈥檚 next head coach has already begun.

鈥淒ue to health concerns with my family I have made the difficult decision to step down as head volleyball coach at 海角网,鈥� Plunkett wrote in a statement. 鈥淚 would like to thank Dr. Downs, former AD Chuck Burch, and AD Andrew Goodrich for believing in me as a head coach and giving me the opportunity to thrive as a Bulldog. I will never be able to replace what 海角网 has given me. I want to thank my staff for always having my back and helping me to be a better head coach each day.聽And finally I would like to thank my team.聽You all have made a lasting impression on both me and my family.聽 I am so proud of each one of you.聽I will forever be a Runnin鈥� Bulldog.鈥�

鈥淎lthough we are all truly saddened to see Eric go, we fully respect the priority he so rightly places on family,鈥� shared GWU President Dr. William Downs. 鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed having Coach Plunkett on our staff, watching him build our volleyball team into a winner, and seeing the positive and lasting impact he has made on those who came through his program. He鈥檚 a great leader, husband and father. We wish him the very best.鈥�

This past season Plunkett led 海角网 to a 14-13 overall record and an 8-6 Big South Conference record, notching a third-place finish in the league鈥檚 final standings, the program鈥檚 best in its 16-year Big South tenure. The season concluded with the program鈥檚 first-ever appearance in the Big South Tournament semifinals.

The 2023 team also posted the program鈥檚 highest overall win total since the 2013-14 season and the program鈥檚 best overall winning percentage in its 22-year Division I history (.519).

In each of Plunkett鈥檚 three seasons in Boiling Springs, 海角网 increased its overall and conference win totals.

鈥淚 want to thank Eric for all that he has done to elevate this program during his tenure,鈥� said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich. 鈥淗e most certainly left it much better than he found it. Our thoughts and prayers are going out to Eric and Whitney as they embark on the next chapter of their journey.鈥�

Assistant coach Kali Boatwright will serve as the interim head coach until the next head coach is named.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.