No coaches fired, but four head coaching changes.
That’s not a common ratio across professional or collegiate sports, but that’s what happens when several coaches resign — and one calls it a career. Here’s a look at all the head coaching changes across Penn Athletics over the summer.
Men’s Tennis
Coming off a historic 2021-22 season in which the Quakers made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, Penn men’s tennis head coach David Geatz announced his retirement after 39 years on the bench, including the last 11 at Penn.
"Dave will be missed in our Division after 11 years of serving our student-athletes," Penn Athletics Director Alanna Shanahan said via Penn Athletics. "He has always been beloved by his players and I'm happy he was able to have so much success on the court in 2022, leading our team to its first-ever NCAA Championship bid.”
In to replace him is another David, David DiLucia, who has served as Geatz’s assistant for the past five seasons prior to earning the head coach gig. The former Notre Dame tennis star and former world No. 242 in singles has played an integral role in player development and recruiting over the past five years, and will look to continue that success into the future as head coach.
"[DiLucia] is highly regarded in the tennis community from his days playing professionally and coaching some of the top-ranked pros and juniors,” Shanahan said via Penn Athletics. “His recruiting prowess, player development, and relationship-based coaching helped elevate Penn men's tennis and I'm confident that the future remains bright under David's leadership."
Men’s Golf
Along with his wife M. Grace Calhoun – who acted as Penn’s athletics director before heading to Brown in 2021 – Jason Calhoun has departed from Penn Athletics, stepping down from his role as head men’s golf coach after five years.
Calhoun resigned in late July, giving Penn just over a month to find a new coach before the team’s first tournament. Penn quickly found their man in Clay White, hired two weeks ago from Seton Hall. White coached the Pirates for 18 years, finishing off his run with a 2022 Big East Championship.
"Clay's success at Seton Hall, especially in recent years, speaks for itself,” Shanahan said via Penn Athletics. “But Clay's commitment to his student-athletes and vision for the future of Penn men's golf set him apart from a very talented pool of candidates. I am confident that Clay will guide the program to compete for Ivy titles and NCAA Regional appearances."
Heavyweight Rowing
Men’s heavyweight rowing coach Bryan Volpenhein resigned in August due to his wife, Sarah Trowbridge, accepting the head coaching position for women’s rowing at the University of Oklahoma. As a result, the Volpenhein family will be relocating to Norman, Okla. this year.
In his first full season on the water without any COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions, Volpenhein — a three-time Olympian and 2004 gold medalist — had two of his student-athletes receive invites to the US Rowing U23 Sculling camp and eight student-athletes named IRCA Scholar-Athletes.
"I want to thank the entire Penn rowing community for all the support and encouragement they have given me, our staff and our athletes during my time here," Volpenhein said via Penn Athletics. "I am heartbroken to leave at such an important time for Penn rowing, but this is such an exciting opportunity for Sarah that we could not pass it up. I will forever be grateful for what this amazing group of athletes, alumni and staff have done for me and what we were able to build through some unique times in the history of this team.”
The search for Volpenhein’s replacement is currently underway, and Penn hopes to have a successor in place soon.
Women’s Soccer
After just a single season at the helm, Casey Brown resigned from the role of Penn women’s soccer coach in June to take the same job at Boston University, her alma mater.
In her one campaign as coach, the Quakers fared a solid 9-5-2, including a 9-1 record at home only spoiled by the final game of the season against Princeton.
To replace Brown, Penn women’s soccer hired Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner. Turner will be entering her 29th season as a soccer coach after spending the previous 24 seasons at Monmouth, compiling an impressive 282-130-43 (.619) record, and a 66-5-5 (.921) record in the MAAC since the Hawks joined in 2013.
"We are thrilled to announce Dr. Turner as the next head coach of our women's soccer program," Shanahan said via Penn Athletics. "It was clear through the interview process that her passion for leading and developing exceptional student-athletes fit nicely with our values as a department. Krissy has a proven record of success on the field and a commitment to academic excellence off it, and I can't wait to see that continue with our women's soccer program."
Turner earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2018.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate