HAMMOND, La. –The defending Southland Conference Champion Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team added a vital piece to its coaching staff as head coach Jeremy White announced the hiring of the winningest head coach in McNeese volleyball history, Lee McBride as his new associate head coach.
 
The hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors.
 
"I think the addition of Lee is going to bring a whole new dynamic to our program," said White. "I don't think you can add someone with his level of success that he's had and not see improvement. I also feel like bringing Lee into the fold with how much I value him on and off the court is only going to mean great things for our future success."
 
McBride has been in coaching for 40 years, starting in 1984 as an assistant at another current Southland institution, Lamar. It was with the Cardinals where he also experienced his first collegiate coaching success, winning two Southland titles which also allowed him a chance to coach in two NCAA Tournaments.
 
After five years in Beaumont, he made the move across the state line to Lake Charles where he became the head coach at McNeese in 1990, starting a 14-year run of immense success for the Cowgirls which included six seasons with 20 or more wins, a Southland Conference championship, a SLC Coach of the Year award, and five Louisiana Coach of the Year honors during an era of national success for the Southland as a whole.
 
During his time at McNeese, he coached 14 All-Southland First Team players, six players on the SLC Second Team, nine honorable mentions, a Freshman of the Year, and a Newcomer of the Year. He also saw his players recognized with 25 All-Louisiana honors, three Louisiana Player of the Year awards, and a Freshman of the Year award. His team consistently had the best GPA among all sports at McNeese during his tenure as well.
 
In 2004, McBride moved into a teaching role at McNeese while also moving into the high school ranks to coach. It was while he was teaching at McNeese where he advised a student named Jeremy White. He would take White under his wing, teaching him the sport of volleyball. The two got the chance to coach together at Barbe High School in Lake Charles before going their separate ways in the volleyball world, but never lost touch, continuing to discuss the sport they bonded over.
 
"He got me into the sport of volleyball," continued White. "His knowledge of this game is among the best I know. In my mind, he should be a Louisiana Hall of Famer one day for what he's done for this sport in this state, and we're certainly happy that he's decided to join us here in Hammond, America, to help continue this run of success we've built over the last few years."
 
McBride joins a Lady Lion program looking to defend its first Southland Conference regular season title in program history when the season begins in late August. SLU will then look to defend its back-to-back SLC Tournament Championships on its home floor as Southeastern hosts the 2024 Southland Conference Volleyball Championship November 21-24 at the Pride Roofing University Center.
 
 
DIGGIN' IT CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin' It Club. Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diggin' It Club and S Club (volleyball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpVB or @JWhiteSLU on Twitter, @LionUpVB on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.