Chad Willis has been named Georgia Southern’s next women’s volleyball coach. The search began after Dustin Wood resigned in November.

Willis comes to GS after spending the last six seasons as an associate head coach at fellow Sun Belt school, Appalachian State.

“I am humbled and grateful to be the next head volleyball coach at Georgia Southern University,” Willis said in a press release. “The excitement and energy across the athletic department and campus community were clear on my visit to campus.”

During Willis’ time at ASU, the Mountaineers notched three 20-win seasons and were earned a bid to the 2018 National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

Prior to his stint in Boone, Willis served as assistant before filling the role of associate head coach at Wake Forest.

“Chad has an extensive coaching background, has shown the ability to recruit talented and high-character student-athletes at the Division-I level and came highly recommended by a number of coaches and athletics administrators,” Athletic Director Tom Kleinlein said.  “As our committee, led by Deputy Athletic Director Lisa Sweany, went through an exhaustive national search process, it became evident that Chad is the best fit for our volleyball program.”

The GS volleyball team is slated to return 15 letterwinners, including five starters for the 2019 season.

“I am eager to get started with our student-athletes and support staff on building a solid foundation for our future success,” Willis said. “[My family and I] are thrilled to be a part of Eagle Nation and will work tirelessly to represent the passion and pride of Georgia Southern University and the Statesboro community.”

McClain Baxley, The George-Anne Daily Managing Editor, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu