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WAUSAU – Just a handful of days away from the first volleyball practice of the 2026 season, Newman Catholic is still without a head coach.
When long-time Newman coach Betty Lange retired in February on the heels of three consecutive trips to the WIAA state tournament, the Fighting Cardinals began their search for a new leader.
Six months later, the search is still ongoing.
Newman Catholic athletic director Zach Braun said that volleyball numbers are still strong, and that the Fighting Cardinals would still be able to field both J.V. and varsity volleyball teams in 2026. But, finding someone willing to commit to the full scale of the season has proven difficult.
Newman earns 3rd consecutive state bid: Newman volleyball earns third straight state tournament bid: 'We set a certain standard'
“So far, it's been a lot of just time commitment issues,” Braun said. "I guess you could say nobody's willing to commit to a full head coach position with the full season, as well as just with different areas in life.
“A lot of the people that we're looking at are kind of in that 24-to-30 age range, where they're getting married, having kids, so they just can't make the time commitment with life events going on and their own life situations.”
Despite the uncertainty at the top of the program with Newman's first game coming against D.C. Everest on Aug. 22, Braun said the Fighting Cardinals are hoping to make a coaching announcement within the next week, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
“We have a couple (candidates). We're kind of waiting to hear back what their availability is going to be, and then we're going to go from there,” Braun said. "We're just making sure that they can commit the time required, and that they're going to be committed and good people to have within our program.”
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Newman Catholic volleyball still without head coach as season nears
Continue reading...
When long-time Newman coach Betty Lange retired in February on the heels of three consecutive trips to the WIAA state tournament, the Fighting Cardinals began their search for a new leader.
Six months later, the search is still ongoing.
Newman Catholic athletic director Zach Braun said that volleyball numbers are still strong, and that the Fighting Cardinals would still be able to field both J.V. and varsity volleyball teams in 2026. But, finding someone willing to commit to the full scale of the season has proven difficult.
Newman earns 3rd consecutive state bid: Newman volleyball earns third straight state tournament bid: 'We set a certain standard'
“So far, it's been a lot of just time commitment issues,” Braun said. "I guess you could say nobody's willing to commit to a full head coach position with the full season, as well as just with different areas in life.
“A lot of the people that we're looking at are kind of in that 24-to-30 age range, where they're getting married, having kids, so they just can't make the time commitment with life events going on and their own life situations.”
Despite the uncertainty at the top of the program with Newman's first game coming against D.C. Everest on Aug. 22, Braun said the Fighting Cardinals are hoping to make a coaching announcement within the next week, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
“We have a couple (candidates). We're kind of waiting to hear back what their availability is going to be, and then we're going to go from there,” Braun said. "We're just making sure that they can commit the time required, and that they're going to be committed and good people to have within our program.”
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Newman Catholic volleyball still without head coach as season nears
Continue reading...
