New seasons bring new hires, and currently leading KSC Women’s Volleyball’s 2024 season is the new Head Coach Jacob Girard.
The search for a new volleyball head coach followed the retirement of former Head Coach Bob Weiner after 19 years at the helm, according to previous reporting by The Equinox.
“It’s been pretty hectic, but I’m loving it so far,” Girard said. “I got here August 5 and then a week later, we’re starting our pre-season. And then, two weeks later, now we’re in the real season.”
Girard is a first-time head coach. He named Director of Athletics Marty Testo and Associate Athletic Director Abe Osheyack as mentor figures, as well as several of his fellow coaches.
“They kind of showed me the ropes,” Girard added.
Girard said he felt having a new face around added to the team’s energy.
“Everybody having a fresh start, that mindset that they’re coming in with, they’re really giving it their all and they’re improving every day, they get a little bit better every day. So I’m excited to work with them too.”
Senior Stephanie Olah, one of the team’s captains, said having a new coach has increased the competitive spirit as the players try to prove themselves.
“The pressure was definitely on a little bit, but [Girard’s] personality almost calms it down a little. He’s very much relaxed … He gives everybody chances.”
Olah said Girard’s strengths include organizational skills and the ability to keep practices going at a pace that is effective but not exhausting.
“He wants to get the most of those two hours [of practice], so I think one of the biggest changes that we noticed was speed,” Olah said. “He definitely likes to get stuff going. He wants us to have energy right off the bat.”
Testo said Girard “rose to the top” of a national search for someone to fill the coaching position.
“He’s one of those young coaches that has done his time, proven his worth to take that next step and become a head coach,” Testo said. “He’s been the assistant. He’s done the travel side of volleyball, so I’m fortunate that we were able to offer him his first head coaching position.”
Outside of coaching, Testo said he expected to see Girard bring value to several areas of the Athletics Department, including event management for hockey and expanding volleyball opportunities for students across Cheshire County.
“We look for good human beings, people that are energetic, that want to do more than just coach the sport,” Testo said. “There’s really not a calling for volleyball for the youth in Cheshire County, so we’re looking to exploring and bringing some camps here. I think [Girard] is going to really embrace and get going in this area.”
Girard spoke on what drew him to apply to the position at Keene State.
“I always knew I wanted to coach volleyball full time … I know [Weiner] had a great career here after 20 seasons, he’s done some really cool things with the program. I wanted to stay local, I’m about two and a half hours away from home still. So everything kind of fit.”
Charlotte King can be contacted at
cking@kscequinox.com
