On March 2, 2023, former Head Coach Kevin Foeman announced that he would be parting ways with the university and joining Division I program, Eastern Michigan.
For the Eagles, the search began in finding the program’s replacement, and they did not have to look far. Roughly a month after the departure of Foeman, the Ashland University Athletic Department brought in Katie Kuhn from D-III program, Ohio Northern.
“I was told about Katie by several people. I heard she was an exceptional communicator who had been at Ohio Northern for quite some time and had enjoyed success as an assistant coach and a head coach,” said Ashland University Athletic Director, Al King. “Katie has enjoyed a great deal of success and I’m confident she’s going to bring that same level to Ashland. I think her leadership skills will help the entire department. I think she will develop the volleyball program in several new areas.”
Kuhn takes over the program after the Eagles put together a stellar 2022 fall campaign. The team finished the season with an overall record of 23-9 and a first-place finish in the regular season.
The only knock to the team’s run came in the opening round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament, where they were knocked out by Tiffin University in a 3-1 loss. They then went on to find a spot in the NCAA postseason tournament, but just like the conference tournament, they were knocked out in one game.
“The timing of Kevin Foeman’s departure was a bit unique. Normally, a switch in volleyball coaches happens right after the season or at some point in late fall or early winter,” said King. “With Kevin leaving in the spring, I didn’t know what kind of pool of candidates we would draw. Would we have experienced coaches? Would coaches be willing to move because many of them were planning their spring workouts?”
Fortunately for the program, Kuhn brings in an abundance of success and hard work from Ohio Northern as she looks to bring the team back to the GMAC tournament for the third straight season.
“Goals and expectations will remain high for our program,” said Kuhn. “We want to work hard on team chemistry and connection that will help us both on and off of the court this season. When you have a new coaching staff and a number of new faces in a program it is important to clarify expectations and program culture.”
At Ohio Northern, she instilled a high work rate that translated directly to success on the court.
Through two years at the helm for the Polar Bears, she led the team to an overall record of 51-19 to go with an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) title. Alongside conference accomplishments, the team appeared in the D-III playoffs in the 2021 season.
Due to her leadership of the program, many took note as she was named the 2021 Coach of the Year by the OAC and the American Volleyball Coaches Association in Region 7.
Before spending time at Ohio Northern, she previously served as a graduate assistant for the Eagle volleyball team in the 2009-2010 season.
“I also knew her from when she was a graduate assistant coach here at Ashland,” said King. “Once she applied and I talked with her I thought she would be an excellent fit for Ashland. She’s been mentored very well, she’s enthusiastic and I think she can keep pushing this program forward. She’s a very strong leader and that’s one thing we’ve tried to emphasize with the coaches we’ve hired the last few years.”
The Eagles kick off the coming season with the Ashland University Tournament, with the team’s first outing coming on Friday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. at Kates Gymnasium against New Haven.
“Our expectation is always to play at a high level and in the opening weekend we want to see court connections and rhythm improving,” she said. “We are always pushing to get wins and most importantly we want to play in a way that will set us up for the rest of the season. It will be great to open the season in front of our home crowd as well!”
