Marshall University

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Volleyball coach Ari Aganus announced the addition of two assistant coaches – Heather Stout and Kaitlyn Gehler – to the Thundering Herd staff on Monday.

Stout joins Marshall after serving as head coach at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., for the past three years.

During Stout’s tenure at CUA, the Cardinals improved their win total each season, culminating with a 20-12 record in 2023. This continued an improving trend of at least five wins from his first season as CUA built its program.

Stout’s program at AUC also won the AVCA Team Academic Award from 2020-2022, awarded to teams with a grade point average of 3.3 and above.

The Mt. Jackson, Va., native took over at The Catholic University of America after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Fairleigh Dickinson.

Stout played for four seasons and was team captain at Glenville State where she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and behavioral sciences in 2014. She then earned her master’s degree in sports management from Brooklyn College in 2016.

“We are so lucky to have found Heather and to see her enthusiasm for the program,” Aganus said. “In our process, I wanted to make sure we found the right person and that someone I knew would have an immediate impact on the program while sharing the core values ​​that we stand for in this program. His uncle played football here , so she understood the passion, history and tradition of Marshall, and as a sitting head coach, she has proven success and operation in the right way. Her passion for the student-athlete and her. experience, as well as his level of success, is something I knew we needed with our program.

Gehler’s promotion to assistant coach continues his rapid rise in the coaching business with the Thundering Herd.

Hired as director of volleyball operations in July 2023, Gehler assumed extended duties following the 2023 season following the departures of former assistants Bijonae Jones and Charlie French.

Gehler has thrived in this elevated role and has been an integral part of the team’s development and operations this spring.

“Kaitlyn deserves this promotion 100%,” Aganus said. “When someone steps up without being asked because of their love for the program and because that’s the kind of person they are, you hold on to that person in every way possible. Kaitlyn constantly wants to learn and become the best she can be for herself, but more importantly for this program. She has taken over both in the gym and on the recruiting trail, and I am very proud and happy of her. keep by my side in a new role.

The Waterloo, Wisconsin native joined Marshall’s staff last season after playing her senior year with the Thundering Herd, leading the team with 409 digs while adding 93 assists during the 2022 season. also played two seasons each at Wyoming and Memphis.

For all the latest information on Marshall Athletics, follow @HerdZone on Twitter and Instagram.

To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics app for iOS and Android.

—HerdZone.com—