[ athletics ]
Culhane Retires After 18 Seasons as Head Volleyball Coach Terry Culhane, who has spent the past 18 seasons as the head coach of the Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball program, announced on Nov. 8 he will be retiring as head coach and assistant professor in the SMSU Education Department at the end of the 2021 fall semester. “I would like to thank everyone in Mustang Athletics as I have truly enjoyed all of my time here at SMSU,” Culhane said. “It has been an honor to get to coach and teach all of our studentathletes, past and present.” Culhane, the program’s all-time leader in victories, finished with a career record of 431-124, including 258-66 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches. Culhane closed his tenure ranked in the Top 20 for winningest coaches in Division II history. “I know I speak for the entire Mustang family in wishing Terry the best in his retirement,” said SMSU President Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya. “His record speaks for itself, and he’s elevated our volleyball program to national prominence. His student-athletes are leaders on the court and in the classroom, and he has represented SMSU at the highest level. We are grateful for all he’s done for SMSU athletics.” Under the direction of Culhane, SMSU made 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including 11 NCAA region semifinal appearances, three NCAA region championship appearances and one NCAA national runner-up finish (2014). SMSU won at least 18 matches every season, including winning 25 or more in 13 of 16 seasons (2020 season was canceled). The Mustangs won two NSIC regular season titles and two NSIC Tournament championships during his tenure. SMSU also finished third or higher in the rugged NSIC regular season standings 13 times, including six second-place finishes. SMSU has been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 poll for all but one week since Sept. 5, 2006. “In my 18 years as a head coach, I have had so many great memories and experiences with our volleyball players that I will never forget and will cherish forever,” Culhane said. “I look forward
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to continuing to support Mustang athletics and our volleyball program.” Culhane, a four-time NSIC Coach of the Year honoree, has coached 27 AVCA All-Americans, 24 AVCA first team All-Region honorees, five AVCA Region Freshmen of the Year, six NSIC Freshman/ Newcomers of the Year, five NSIC Players of the Year, 45 All-NSIC first team honorees, four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one AVCA Freshman of the Year. Outside hitter Taylor Reiss was a two-time AVCA National Player of the Year (2017 & 2018) award winner and was recognized following the 2018-19 academic year as the NCAA Division II Honda Female Athlete of the Year, pictured below. “On behalf of Mustang athletics, I would like to thank Terry for his many years of dedication to our Athletic Department, the Mustang volleyball program, coaching staff, and student-athletes,” said SMSU Interim Director of Athletics Bruce Saugstad. “Terry has made an impact on and off the court within the lives of our coaches and student-athletes. Our teams have been consistently ranked nationally under his leadership, creating a great environment for our student-athletes to compete in a sport they love.” “Additionally, our former and current volleyball student-athletes perform exceptionally well in the classroom, providing them the education they need to start their careers after SMSU,” Saugstad said. “Terry will retire from SMSU as our winningest coach in school history. We thank him for the many exciting moments he has provided our fans.” Culhane, a 1978 graduate of SMSU, played both basketball and baseball for the Mustangs, and returned to his alma mater on Jan. 22, 2004, when he was named the fourth head coach in the program’s history. Culhane had unparalleled success coaching high school volleyball and girls’ basketball for more than 20 seasons prior to his arrival at SMSU. A five-time Minnesota State Volleyball Coach of the Year honoree, Culhane finished with a record of 519-112 in 22 seasons as a high school volleyball head coach. His teams appeared in 15 state tournaments with six state Culhane with Taylor Reiss championships.
