Cothran hired as volleyball coach

Vanguard University didn’t go too far in hiring its new women’s volleyball coach. Marissa Cothran, a former Lions player who worked the past two seasons as the team’s lead assistant, has been named the head coach of the Vanguard women’s volleyball program.

Cothran, a Newport Harbor High product who is in her first collegiate head coaching job, takes over for Erikka Gulbranson, who resigned after seven seasons. Cothran takes over a team that went 10-16, 8-12 to finish seventh in the Golden State Athletic Conference last season.

“I am humbled to have been selected the head volleyball coach at my alma mater,” Cothran said in a release. “I feel so blessed to be able to work under a staff that is so supportive, talented and diligent.”

As Gulbranson’s assistant, Cothran coordinated recruiting and specialized in training the Vanguard setters to run the Lions’ offense. The school is expecting a smooth transition for the returning players and recruits with Cothran in charge.

“Marissa has made a quick and effective change from being an all-conference setter to a person that is capable of being an excellent coach,” said Bob Wilson, Vanguard’s athletic director. “She has been actively involved in our volleyball program for the last two seasons and has played a major role in the success of our program. She is ready to accept the challenge of being our next head coach.”

Cothran, who is the 13th head volleyball coach in Vanguard history, has coached on the junior high, high school and club levels. She coached the boys’ and girls’ lower-level teams at Newport Harbor.

Most recently, Cothran had the opportunity to work with Elite Sports International, where she coached a select group of Southern California high school players who were chosen to travel to and compete in Hawaii earlier this summer.

Cothran’s playing career has also helped prepare her for her first collegiate head coaching position. She competed with Orange Country Club Volleyball. After playing for Newport Harbor, she competed at Golden West College before a three-year career at Vanguard.

She helped the Lions earn a 62-37 record as a player. She was also a part of the Lions team which set a new program record for wins in a season and made the NAIA Region II postseason playoffs her final two years.

As a two-year team captain for the Lions, Cothran was a two-time All-GSAC setter and a team leader. She completed her collegiate playing career by leading the Lions to the Region II playoffs in 2005.

Cothran earned the 2005 Champions of Character award for Vanguard, the GSAC, and Region II.

The Lions, who were ranked as high as 16th in the NAIA last year, begin the season with its Labor Day Volleyball Festival Aug. 29-30.

— From staff reports