Sutton Steps Down As Volleyball Head Coach

MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Friday afternoon that Chad Sutton has resigned as Mercer's volleyball head coach to accept the same position at Appalachian State.

"The Mercer Athletics family wishes Chad, Valerie and their newborn son, Brody, all the best on their next journey," said Mercer Director of Athletics Jim Cole. "Chad and Val transformed our volleyball program into a winner from the day that they arrived on campus, and have left a strong program and group of young student-athletes that know how to compete in all areas - the court, classroom and the game of life. We look forward to finding the next leader that will only continue to build upon the foundation that the Suttons have left here."

Sutton, a native Floridian, reeled off a 38-19 (.667) record in two seasons as head coach of the Bears, including a record-breaking 2024 campaign that saw the Orange & Black register a school-record 26 wins (14-2 SoCon) on the way to claiming the Southern Conference regular season title, as well as the program's first postseason appearance as part of the National Invitational Volleyball Championships (NIVC) field.

The program raked in six all-conference honors under Sutton's watch, as well as SoCon Player and Setter of the Year laurels to culminate the 2024 campaign. Senior Skye Ekes was also lauded as an all-region and all-America selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

"I am eternally grateful for President Underwood and Jim Cole believing in my talent and leadership and trusting me to build something special at Mercer," Sutton said. "I am excited for the new opportunity, but also anxious to see this program continue to accomplish great things in the future."

A national search for the program's new leader will begin immediately.

Players Mentioned

Skye Ekes

Footer

Mercer University Athletics