CLEVELAND STATE NAMES NOLAN MCDANIEL HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH

Cleveland State Community College Director of Athletics Suzanne Strudwick has announced the appointment of Nolan McDaniel as the next Head Coach of the Cougar Volleyball program. 

McDaniel steps into the role following an historic 2025 season in which he served as Assistant Head Coach and assumed the day-to-day leadership of the program while his sister, Peyton McDaniel, fulfilled her deployment with the United States Air Force Reserve. Together, the McDaniels guided the Cougars to the most successful season in program history, capturing the program's first Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Regular Season Championship with an undefeated conference record and establishing Cleveland State as one of the premier NJCAA volleyball programs in the region.  

Peyton McDaniel has since accepted the Head Volleyball Coach position at Lincoln Memorial University, creating an opportunity for Nolan to continue building the championship culture the siblings established together. 

"Nolan has earned this opportunity through his leadership, commitment to our student-athletes, and the tremendous success of our volleyball program," said Athletic Director Suzanne Strudwick. "He has built strong relationships with our returning players and incoming recruits, understands our vision for Cougar Athletics, and has already demonstrated his ability to lead at a championship level. His passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the court made him the clear choice to lead our program into its next chapter." 

McDaniel's leadership has been recognized nationally. Following the remarkable 2025 season, he was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Two-Year College Assistant Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in Cleveland State volleyball history to receive a national coaching honor. He also shared TCCAA Coach of the Year recognition after helping guide the Cougars to an undefeated conference season and the program's first conference championship. (AVCA) 

"I am incredibly grateful to Cleveland State Community College and Suzanne Strudwick for the confidence they have placed in me," said McDaniel. "This program means so much to me, and I'm thankful to Peyton for the foundation she helped build. I look forward to continuing that success by developing outstanding young women, competing for championships, and representing Cleveland State with pride." 

As Head Coach, McDaniel will oversee all aspects of the volleyball program, including recruiting, student-athlete development, academic success, practice planning, scheduling, community engagement, and program administration.