Team Tampa Bay's Take with Joey Johnston - Leading the Way: A Special Look at the R2TBI Coaches

By Joey Johnston

When the Road 2 Tampa Bay Volleyball Invitational arrives Aug. 25-26 at downtown Tampa’s Amalie Arena and USF’s Yuengling Center — ushering in what could be a historic NCAA volleyball season — there’s a notable quality when spotlighting the event’s head coaches.

They are all female.

That feature can’t be overstated. The nation’s most popular sport for female participation has established a solid base of female leadership.

“That is really cool to know especially for someone like me who wants to go into coaching someday,’’ Georgia Tech sophomore middle blocker Liv Mogridge said. “I think it means something to have so many female role models. I think it means a lot.’’

The head coaches:

Michelle Collier, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: The former USF All-American and a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, Collier is entering her 10th season as Georgia Tech’s head coach. Her program has three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and registered a final national ranking of No. 16 last season. In 2021, the Yellow Jackets tied a program record by reaching the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley, Penn State Nittany Lions: The former two-time All-American and a member of Penn State’s first national championship team (1999), Schumacher-Cawley is entering her second season as Penn State’s head coach after serving four years as an assistant coach. Last season, Penn State reached the NCAA Tournament for the 42nd consecutive season (all of them) and had a 26-8 Sweet 16 finish, along with a No. 11 national ranking.

Jolene Shepardson, USF Bulls: After engineering dramatic program turnarounds at San Jose State and Cal State Bakersfield, Shepardson returned to her alma mater in 2020 and is working to help the Bulls return to past glory by contending in the American Athletic Conference. Shepardson was an integral part of USF’s NCAA Tournament teams in 2000 and 2002.

Mary Wise, Florida Gators: With 1,026 career victories (the most in Division I volleyball by a female coach), eight Final Four appearances, 25 SEC titles, 15 SEC Coach of the Year awards and one AVCA National Coach of the Year designation, Wise long ago achieved legendary status as she enters her 32nd season at Florida. Last season, the Gators were 25-6 and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 while finishing with a No. 12 national ranking.

“I think it’s phenomenal,’’ said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, which will team with USF to host the NCAA Volleyball Final Four in December at Amalie Arena. “We’re coming off the heels of the 50th anniversary of Title IX and I think our community has made sure we’re at the forefront of women’s sports.

“It’s not a coincidence that we have all female head coaches in this event. That was the intention and by design, not only to showcase their special programs but also to showcase the importance of women’s sports. And not only do we have four great female head coaches, but the event is being run by a former female head coach (TBSC’s vice president of events Claire Lessinger, who was USF’s head coach from 2004-12). So it’s special all around.’’

It would be significant if a female-led team captures the national championship in Tampa. The previous 42 NCAA Tournament titles have been captured by male head coaches.

“We went through a period where there weren’t as many female head coaches in our sport,’’ Wise said. “Women weren’t choosing to coach. It’s really encouraging to see an event like this because it shows that we’re in a much better place.’’

According to the NCAA, 53 percent of the Division I women’s volleyball head coaches were men and 47 percent were women. Those figures have remained fairly consistent over the last decade, cresting at 56 percent males in 2014.

“I have so much respect for a lot of male coaches in our sports, but this is truly a gathering of some profound women in our profession,’’ Shepardson said. “What Michelle has done at Georgia Tech, what Katie has done at Penn State as a former player taking over and how Mary Wise has just been a phenomenal game-changer, it’s not only interesting, but it’s inspirational.

“As a young volleyball player, I was aware of what Mary Wise was doing … and she’s still at that same elite level. She’s a role model for all of us, showing us what can be done, and how you can make a career for yourself as a woman. We’ve been in our players’ shoes. We know how it feels.’’

According to Penn State setter Mac Podraza, the all-female head-coach angle makes for a great story.

“It’s starting to become one of those things that aren’t that crazy,’’ Podraza said. “Someday, I’d like to be a head coach. Seeing an event like this shows me again that it’s an achievable goal.’’

Collier said the Road 2 Tampa Bay Volleyball Invitational should serve as inspiration for a lot of coaches and players.

“We definitely always want to advocate for women being at the highest positions possible,’’ Collier said. “To see how our game has grown and evolved, to be in the mix of that, it’s pretty awesome to see. I’m excited to be around some strong female leaders at this event. I think it’s something that players everywhere will notice and be proud of.’’