HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College Vice President of Athletics and Athletics Facilities, Dr. Lynn Griffin, has appointed Julia Rowland as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance, it was announced today.
Rowland has served as the head women's volleyball coach since 2015, and has led both the men's and women's volleyball programs since 2017.
Rowland will begin her duties as Assistant AD immediately, while assistant volleyball coach Jay Novoa-Miralles will be named the interim head men's volleyball coach. A national search will be conducted to replace Coach Rowland as the women's volleyball coach.
"We are very excited to have Julia step into a administrative role within the athletic department," said Griffin. "In her time at Coker, Julia has been a leader among the student-athletes and coaches, and she will be an excellent resource for the everyone when it comes to compliance."
Rowland steps away from the coaching ranks with more than 43 victories under her belt as a women's coach and a 27-20 record in her two seasons leading the Cobra men's team.
As a women's coach, she has mentored numerous all-conference players, including the 2018 South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year, Lana Strejcek, two-time all-conference selection Taylor du Bray and 2017-18 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection Madison Bingle. She also led her team to the 2017 Coker SAAC Team Excellence Award.
On the men's side, Joao Victor Santos was named Coker's C.G. Timberlake Male Athlete of the Year in 2018 and three players; Santos, Garry Baker and Stephen Porras, were named to the IVA All-Tournament team.
Before coming to Coker, she served as the head coach for the Sullivan East High School women's volleyball team in Bluff City, Tenn. In six years as the head coach she compiled a 163-116 overall record and was 45-7 in conference. She led her team to four conference championships, three district championships, and to the Tennessee state tournament in four out of six seasons. Many of her players received postseason honors during her time including three conference players of the year, 22 all-conference selections, a conference setter and libero of the year, two conference hitters of the year and two all-state players.
Prior to Sullivan East, Rowland spent two years as an assistant coach at Carson-Newman. During her time with the Eagles the women went 48-26, earning a bid to the 2008 NCAA Tournament. She also coached three All-SAC selections and an all-region player.
As a player Rowland was a four-year member of the King University women's volleyball team. She helped guide the Tornado to four Appalachian Conference regular and tournament championships, a regional championship and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
Rowland holds a bachelor of science in mathematics from King, a master's of arts in teaching from Carson-Newman and an educational specialist degree from Union College.
She is married to Charles "Tee" Rowland and they have a daughter Charlotte Ann (6 months).