NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State volleyball head coach Leah Johnson will be departing the Redbird program to become the head coach of the Michigan State volleyball program, Spartan Director of Athletics Alan Haller announced Monday.
"We can't thank Leah enough for all she has done to bring Redbird volleyball to new heights," ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. "She has been a true champion, not only on the court with her teams, but also for the student-athletes she has mentored, for other coaches in our program and for the University as a whole. Her dedication, commitment and passion for Redbird volleyball has been amazing and we wish her the best of luck in her new journey at Michigan State."
In her five years at the helm of the Redbird program, Johnson posted an overall winning percentage of .666 (104-52) which ranks her seventh all-time among Missouri Valley Conference coaches. She guided the Redbirds to five-straight postseason tournament appearances, including four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances the past four seasons, and three-straight MVC Tournament championships.
Johnson's efforts guiding the youngest team in the Missouri Valley Conference and one of the youngest teams in the NCAA Tournament to a runner-up finish in the 2021 Valley regular season, a third-straight MVC Tournament title and a fourth-consecutive NCAA berth earned her AVCA North Region Coach of the Year honors for the first time in her career.Â
"I want to thank everyone at Illinois State for the last five years," Johnson said. "It is impossible to put into words what this community means to me and my family and it will hold a special place in our hearts. Kyle Brennan, Larry Lyons, Leanna Bordner and so many others have supported and invested in me and women's athletics at Illinois State, and I am honored to have been a part of Redbird Volleyball's long tradition of success. I am proud of the amazing service and growth the student-athletes were able to accomplish both on and off the court during my time here in Normal, and I can't wait to see what this group will continue to accomplish in the years to come."
A national search will begin immediately to find a new head coach to lead the Redbird volleyball program.
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