Sports
Lehigh Names Shawn McLaughlin Next Volleyball Head Coach
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a national search, Lehigh Athletics has named Shawn McLaughlin the 13th head volleyball coach in program history. McLaughlin brings more than 15 years of coaching experience, having spent the previous three years as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Delaware.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shawn to Lehigh as our new head coach of women’s volleyball,” said Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. “His energy and experience, particularly his impactful role in building a strong program at the University of Delaware, stood out in our search. We are confident that his leadership, and commitment to student-athlete development will elevate our program and inspire excellence both on and off the court.”
McLaughlin was instrumental in leading one of the most successful stretches in Delaware Blue Hens history that included a 61-23 record, Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championship in 2023 and runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2024. Under his leadership, McLaughlin helped coach and develop the 2023 CAA Player of the Year and All-American, 2024 CAA Setter of the Year and eight All-CAA honorees.
“I’m honored to step into the role of head volleyball coach at Lehigh University,” said McLaughlin. “This program has a strong tradition of excellence – both athletically and academically – and I’m excited to build on that legacy. Together, we will grow as individuals and as a team, representing Lehigh with pride and purpose.
“I want to sincerely thank Jeremy Gibson, Sue Troyan, Stacy Shiffert and the entire search committee for the opportunity,” McLaughlin continued. “I’m thrilled to represent Lehigh Athletics and to lead a program that reflects integrity, excellence and community.”
Prior to his time at Delaware, McLaughlin served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at South Alabama for the 2021 season, helping lead the Jaguars to the program’s first-ever Sun Belt Conference (SBC) regular-season title, first SBC Tournament championship and first NCAA postseason appearance. The Jaguars posted a 25-7 overall record, including a 15-1 mark in conference play. McLaughlin also assisted in coaching four all-SBC selections and two all-tournament honorees, including the SBC Championship Most Valuable Player.
McLaughlin spent three seasons (2018-20) as an assistant coach, recruiting and offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama Birmingham. While in Birmingham, McLaughlin coached two Conference USA all-freshman selections and an all-conference honoree. McLaughlin also worked as an assistant coach at the University of the Incarnate Word (2013-18), helping the Cardinals make the transition from Division-II to Division-I. While in San Antonio, McLaughlin coached and developed four all-conference honorees and qualified for the Southland Conference tournament every season.
In addition to his roles in Texas, Alabama and Delaware, McLaughlin also served in assistant and volunteer assistant coach roles with UC Davis (2009-11), the University of Nevada (2011-12) and the University of Denver (2012-13). His coaching career kicked off in the club volleyball circuit, where he has worked as head coach of Force Volleyball Club (2009-11), head coach and lead trainer of Silver State Volleyball Club (2011-12), head coach of San Antonio Magic Volleyball Club (2013-18) and oversight director of the Lower Alabama Volleyball Club (2022). While with San Antonio Magic, McLaughlin won a gold medal at the 2014 USAV Nationals, coached two Prep Volleyball All-Americans and achieved a top 50 ranking in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
McLaughlin was an accomplished player in college, playing at Lindenwood University from 2004-09. The Lions three-peated during his time there, winning conference championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
McLaughlin graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history education from Lindenwood.
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After transferring to South Carolina prior to the 2025 season, defensive back Myles Norwood will enter the transfer portal in hopes of finishing his last year of eligibility elsewhere next fall. Norwood began his career at Iowa State, transferred to Ball State, and then to South Carolina. He will be looking for his fourth home this offseason.
Norwood was a collegiate track star turned defensive back in his college career. His journey began at Iowa Western Community College where he was a track and field participant for the Reivers. Following his freshman year in track he moved on to Iowa State to play for then head coach Matt Campbell (now Penn State). He spent two seasons with the cyclones appearing in just one game against West Virginia in 2022. In 2024, he transferred to New Mexico State in February, but never played for the Aggies before transferring to Ball State just three months later.
At Ball State, Norwood appeared in all 12 games for the Cardinals making seven starts. He was credited with with 38 tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a team-leading 10 pass breakups. After his breakout season with the Cardinals, Norwood commited to the Gamecocks for the 2025 season. He appeared in 10 games, with two starts, in his time in Columbia as he racked up 19 total tackles this past season.
Updated Transfer Portal Tracker
In addition to Norwood, 11 other Gamecocks have entered the portal so far with the offensive line room taking the biggest hit. That list includes OL Tree Babalade, OL Cason Henry, WR Brian Rowe Jr., QB Air Noland, OL Mac Walters, OL Nick Sharpe, OL Trovon Baugh, DL Zavian Hardy, LB Jaron Willis, LB Taeshawn Alston, and K Peyton Argent.
A few others have already declared their move to the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Jared Brown was the latest to make his intentions known. He joins defensive tackle Monkell Goodwine, defensive tackle Nick Barrett, and defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. as those entering their names in the 2026 NFL Draft, with tight end Jordan Dingle expected to be the next name as his eligibility is out.
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By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1) men’s basketball plays its final game of 2025 against Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) at Hooper Eblen Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood after an extended break for the holidays to face the Tigers. TSU has won five of the last seven games but most recently fell, 91-82, to SEMO, opening OVC competition 1-1. Tech has won three of the last four games and opened conference play with an 85-74 victory over SEMO, then fell to UT Martin (L, 62-86).
TTU enters today’s game 4-2 at home this season with wins over SEMO, Bethel (101-69), Berea (86-64), and Va. Lynchburg (118-58), and losses to West Ga. (L, 59-61) and UT Martin (L, 62-86).
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1 OVC)
Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Hooper Eblen Center
Watch: ESPN+ | Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle | Noah McKay (PxP) and Jacob Vinson (Analyst)
Promotion: Purple Haze – WEAR PURPLE!
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TSU leads, 41-39
In Cookeville: Tech leads, 23-17
In Nashville: TSU leads, 18-22
Neutral sites: TSU leads 2-0
Current Streak: TTU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU won 77-74 in Cookeville (Feb. 22, 2025)
TECH NOTES
Dani Pounds leads Tech in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game (19th in OVC), and Mekhi Cameron is second on the team with 12.2 points per game (20th in OVC). Pounds is fourth in the OVC in free-throw percentage, shooting 84.1 from the line. Pounds leads the Golden Eagles in rebounds with 4.8 per game (20th in OVC).
JaJuan Nicholls is second on the team in rebounds per game (4.7), which is 23rd in the conference.
Tennessee Tech’s 118 points against Va. Lynchburg (W, 118-58, 11/10/25) mark the third-most points scored in a single game by an OVC team this season.
Ty Owens is second in the OVC with 4.2 assists per game (54 total). Nicholls is tied for fifth in the conference in blocks per game (1.2) and fourth in the OVC in total blocks (16).
The Golden Eagles are second in the conference in points per game (79.7), as well as fourth in the conference in scoring margin (3.5). TTU holds the second-best shooting percentage in the OVC (47.0, 365-777), making three fewer shots than the conference leaders (Lindenwood, 47.4).
OPPONENT NOTES
Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) leads the all-time series 41-39 as the teams split the last two matchups during the 2024-25 season.
The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought 91–82 loss to Southeast Missouri at the Gentry Center, while the Golden Eagles also enter the contest following a defeat.
The game marks the return to action for both programs after a 10-day break. Tennessee State will open the 2026 calendar year on the road at Little Rock on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Aaron Nkrumah leads the Tigers in scoring with 17.0 points per game, averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. Travis Harper II is second on the team with 15.8 points per game, and Dante Harris is third on the squad per contest with 12.6 points on average.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men’s Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can be sure to follow the Golden Eagles men’s basketball team on X (@TTU_Basketball), Instagram (TTUMBB), and Facebook (TTU MBB) for all of the news, notes, and updates.
Helms, a transfer from Texas A&M, bested his previous Heptathlon score of 5394 which he earned at the Stan Scott Invite and Multis taking place on Jan. 30-Feb. 1, hosted by Texas Tech. He has had immense success in the Key City, posting three different splits at the Red Raider open in the 60m hurdles (8.30), 4x400m (3:16.21, 49.27 split) and pole vault (16-2/4.93m).
At the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Robertson has etched herself in the record books. At the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, she recorded the best finish by a Bronco since the 2022 campaign by finishing 53rd in a field of 254 total runners.
Robertson was the first Bronco woman to earn All-America honors in the 1,500 since 2019 (Emma Bates). Hanna Ackermann also posted a top finish while in Eugene. Ackermann recorded a time of 9:54.21 in the steeplechase. The time was the third-fastest time in Boise State history.
Helms registered a score of 7,696 in the decathlon. His mark ranks third in Boise State school history and improved his previous mark in the decathlon at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships which were hosted by Fresno State in Clovis, California.
Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET
The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!
The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for small school volleyball.
Player of the Year winners will be announced at the South Florida Fair in a live ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 24. Nominees will be able to register to attend for free, thanks to sponsors. For more information about the show, please reach out to deputy sports editor Eric J. Wallace (ejwallace@pbpost.com).
Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET
The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!
The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for large school volleyball.
Player of the Year winners will be announced at the South Florida Fair in a live ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 24. Nominees will be able to register to attend for free, thanks to sponsors. For more information about the show, please reach out to deputy sports editor Eric J. Wallace (ejwallace@pbpost.com).
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