Former University of Wisconsin assistant coach named Flagler’s head volleyball coach

By Jaycob Ammerman | gargoyle@flagler.eduThe Flagler College athletic department announced the hiring of former University of Wisonsin assistant coach Brian Heffernan to lead the women’s volleyball team.

Heffernan takes over for former head coach Taylor Mott, who relocated to Tennessee with her husband and two children after the fall 2011 season.

Mott had an impressive 13-year run at Flagler, where she posted an impressive 304-158 record. She led the Saints to two NCAA national quarterfinal appearances to go along with three Peach Belt and Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year honors.

“It is an honor to follow the great work of Coach Mott,” Heffernan said. “Her efforts have set the table for success and we want to build upon what the program accomplished under her leadership.”

Heffernan comes to Flagler with coaching experience at the NCAA Div. I level, where he has spent the last four seasons at Wisconsin and spent three years as Washington State University’s head coach.

Heffernan feels that there are many differences from coaching at the Div. II level, but does not expect a huge difference from a coaching perspective.

“One of the changes I welcome is the focus on “life in the balance” and providing the student-athletes with a well-rounded experience. The regionalization model used by Div. II fits into my desire to find a better balance between work and life. Personally, my hope is that the smaller school will also provide a greater sense of community and inclusion for my family.”

Heffernan expects a lot from his student-athletes. One of his trademarks in previous coaching positions has been excellence in the classroom. As an assistant at Wisconsin, he coached student-athletes who earned 26 Academic All-Big Ten honors.

“Brian not only has a tremendous volleyball background, he is a man of character who genuinely cares about the overall development and success of the student-athletes,” said Flagler Director of Athletics Jud Damon.

Heffernan said his goal at Flagler is to win the Peach Belt conference and eventually the NCAA Volleyball Championship. But ultimately it about trying to “graduate 100 percent of our student-athletes and provide them with a great college experience,” he said.