A day before Sylvester Croom filled the football head coaching vacancy, another job in the athletic department opened.
Following a disappointing 3-22 (2-14 Southeastern Conference) season, Brenda Bowlin turned in her resignation Monday after seven years as the head coach of the Bulldogs.
Bowlin’s 20 career SEC wins is better than all other MSU volleyball coaches combined.
During Bowlin’s tenure, the Bulldogs made the SEC Honor Roll 39 times.
“My main goal when I first came here was to get the program better than it was, and I think that happened,” Bowlin said.
Bowlin, whose contract runs through June 30, said she was going to take some time to catch up with family and friends as she decides her next career move.
Associate athletic director for women’s sports Samye Johnson will be handling the hiring of the new coach.
Johnson coached the Bulldogs from 1994-1996 and holds the school’s best win percentage in SEC play (.200).
“We’ll open the job for about 15 days and advertise,” Johnson said.
On Monday Johnson said that she had five or six resumes.
Assistant coach John Blackwell has also applied for the position.
Blackwell served as Bowlin’s chief recruiter since 2000. Blackwell recruited the six freshmen who have signed with State for next fall.
The recruiting class will be the tallest in school history and one that both Bowlin and Blackwell say has the potential to turn the program around.
“I hope that I have shown my ability to recruit here,” Blackwell said. “I’d like to remain and have the opportunity to coach these kids.”
Current players have a variety of opinions as to what should be done.
Rachel Cooper said she looked forward to a new start while Jami Hester said she was surprised by the resignation. The players are allowed to recommend potential candidates.
Bowlin said Blackwell should be a legitimate candidate for the position or at least remain on staff to help the incoming freshmen adjust to being away from home for the first time.
Blackwell said that he will prepare as if he would get the job, so he would not fall behind.
“John works very hard and loves Mississippi State,” Bowlin said. “He is a great coach and a great person.”