Head Coach

Haley Eckerman, a four-time All-American and 2012 national champion, was named the ninth head coach in Kent State University volleyball history on March 7, 2022.

"Haley Eckerman brings a great balance of both coaching and on court success to Kent State Volleyball," Director of Athletics Randale Richmond said. " As a highly decorated former competitor at the collegiate and pro level, our student-athletes will have a great opportunity to learn what is required to compete for championships. Haley is committed to not just developing our student-athletes on the court, but also outside of sport, showcased by her deep-rooted commitment within the non-profit sector, especially her work with Think Outside the Box. She gives us the opportunity to re-imagine our Volleyball program and I could not be more excited for Haley to join our talented group of head coaches. I’m thrilled to see how the program grows under her leadership.”

Eckerman served as an assistant coach at Texas Christian University (TCU) during the 2021 season.

“First, I want to thank Randale Richmond for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of the Golden Flashes,” Eckerman said. “Second, I would like to thank the hiring committee and everyone who was a part of my interview process. Lastly, I would like to thank my mentors who have been a huge help during this hiring process. I am so honored to be a part of this program and with these great young women and the surrounding staff. I am excited to get to Kent to start building a relationship with the players and get in the gym and get to work.”

Eckerman worked closely with the team’s hitters and defensive specialists during her lone season in Fort Worth, helping the Horned Frogs double their win total from the previous spring and push No. 6 Baylor to five sets in front of a Schollmaier Arena record 4,012 fans.

She was instrumental in Tarleton State’s successful transition to Division I during the spring 2021 campaign. Eckerman was hired as an assistant coach in March 2020 as the college sports world began to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not being able to spend as much time in the gym with the student-athletes working on skill development as a typical offseason, she helped the team navigate the unprecedented season and finish with a winning record and in a tie for fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Prior to that, Eckerman was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Lamar University in 2019. Her coaching career began in her hometown at Waterloo West High School (Iowa), as she led the team to its first regional final in over 20 years during the 2018 season.

Eckerman was the main contributor on three NCAA Final Four teams in her four seasons at the University of Texas. She was named the 2012 Longhorn Female Athlete of the Year after winning the National Championship in her sophomore season and the Volleyball Magazine Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Eckerman was named 2011 Big 12 Freshman of the Year before winning Big 12 Player of the Year in each of her next three seasons. She is only the second three-time Player of the Year recipient in Big 12 history.

She was named AVCA All-America Second Team after her freshman season, followed by three-straight First Team All-America selections over her next three seasons in Austin.

Eckerman finished her career among the top 10 in six different statistical categories at Texas, including fifth all-time in total points (1,910) and total kills (1,662). She also racked up 4.42 points per set and is No. 7 all-time in aces, No. 8 all-time in kills per set and No. 9 all-time in aces per set.

Following her dominating career at UT, Eckerman competed at the professional level for the next four seasons. Her professional career covered stops in South Korea, Puerto Rico, Azerbaijan, Italy and Russia.

In 2018, Eckerman co-founded Team Dream – the first All-African American team to compete and win USA Open Nationals.

In 2020, she co-founded Think Outside the Box, a volleyball coaching and athlete development company that provides resources and support, while also addressing issues related to diversity within the game of volleyball amongst players and coaches at all levels.

Eckerman earned a bachelor's degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas in 2014 and is a proud mother of son, Cayden.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT HALEY ECKERMAN:

"Haley is a great coach to lead the Kent State Volleyball program! She is talented, both as a coach and recruiter, knows and trains the game well, and she will work hard to give her student-athletes and staff the best experience she can. She cares deeply about the people she works with and coaches, which will radiate throughout Kent State Athletics."

- Jill Kramer, former TCU volleyball head coach

“I’m very proud of all the accomplishments Haley has achieved in and around the volleyball world. I couldn’t be more excited for her and Kent State to have Haley as their leader. Haley only knows how to succeed and will bring that passion to her first head coaching job! Haley will be a great role model and teacher for the athletes in her program. I look forward to all her success.”

- Jerritt Elliott, Texas volleyball head coach

“Haley is a fantastic hire for Kent State! I had the pleasure of coaching her in her time at The University of Texas and she was one of the greatest leaders I have ever coached.  She has played at the highest level and has used that experience to grow into a passionate and knowledgeable coach. She cares deeply about the game of volleyball and more importantly about her players. She has always had a special way of connecting with people and will be a great recruiter and leader for the program. Kent State is extremely lucky to have her, and I can't wait to see where she takes the volleyball program in the future!”

- Salima Rockwell, Notre Dame volleyball head coach