CHARLESTON, S.C. - College of Charleston head volleyball coach Jason Kepner announced the hiring of two new assistant coaches on Friday. Damian Elder and Scott Schweihofer will join the Cougar coaching staff for the 2011 season.
Elder becomes the Cougars' assistant coach after coming from the South Carolina coaching staff where he served as the associate head coach for the Gamecocks. A member of the Gamecocks' coaching staff for five seasons, Elder helped lead the program's efforts in recruiting, practice management and instruction, while also coordinating South Carolina's sand volleyball efforts.
Prior to South Carolina, Elder served as a volunteer assistant for Stanford's volleyball program, working with the 2004 NCAA championship team. From 1996-2003, Elder led the Fresno Volleyball Club as its head coach, serving as club director from 1999-2002. Elder earned his undergraduate degree from Fresno State in 2002.
"I am very excited to be able to add Damian to our staff," Kepner said. "We are very lucky to be able to get someone with his experience to start during pre-season. His time spent at Stanford and South Carolina will be a huge benefit for our staff and players. He will definitely be able to hit the ground running in the gym and the office."
In his new role with the Cougars, Elder will be preparing scouting reports, working with tape exchange and handling game day operations. During practices, he will work all positions while also helping with recruiting.
Schweihofer will join the College of Charleston volleyball staff in a volunteer coaching capacity, where he will be doing film breakdown using Stat Easy and Game Plan, and assisting with game operations and practice. A 2011 graduate of Limestone College, Schweihofer played men's volleyball for the Saints and led the team with 285 kills in the 2011 spring season. In 2010, he ranked in the top 20 nationally in kills per game (4.09).
"Scott is another great addition to our staff," Kepner said. "He combines college playing experience with great knowledge of the latest volleyball technology. He will be a tremendous asset in the gym, running drills, and in the office."
A native of Marysville, Mich., Schweihofer worked as a volunteer assistant coach for Presbyterian College in 2008 and as a student assistant at Michigan State in 2007, working with a Spartan squad that reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Elder and Schweihofer join the Cougar coaching staff after former assistant Mike Shearer departed for an assistant coaching position with Elon University at the beginning of August.
College of Charleston opens the 2011 season in the Mortar Board Premier at Purdue University. The Cougars face VCU on Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. eastern time.