McDaniel resigns

On Monday, SDSU women’s volleyball head coach Phil McDaniel stepped down after four year years at the helm.

“I appreciate the opportunities I was afforded here at SDSU,” McDaniel said. “This is a great school with a bright future.”

After spending two years as an assistant for the Jacks in 2005-07, McDaniel rebuilt a Drake program whose rise caused the Jackrabbits to bring McDaniel back as their head coach for 2011.

McDaniel’s second year with the program showed promise when the Jacks went 16-13 overall and 8-8 in the Summit League, but a rebuilding year in 2013 saw the Jackrabbits win only five matches.

SDSU started off 2014 on a better note, as the Jacks won six nonconference games to improve on 2013’s win total, but conference play sent the Jacks into a downward spiral as they ended the season with 16 straight losses and winless in Summit League action for the first time in McDaniel’s tenure.

Athletic director Justin Sell gave the following statement concerning McDaniel.

“I have accepted the resignation of coach McDaniel,” Sell said. “We appreciate his service to South Dakota State. Phil is a genuinely good guy who cares about South Dakota State, the student-athletes and the Brookings community. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Monday’s announcement comes just over a week after the conclusion of the season, and Sell said he plans to launch an immediate search for McDaniel’s replacement.

Whoever McDaniel’s replacement proves to be, they will inherit a program that only graduates one senior, Margit Hansing, and returns a group of players who, although struggling to win, have gained significant experience during the past two years.