HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University has named Lee McBride head indoor volleyball coach, SLU Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced Thursday.
 
McBride also added Allison Byler to his staff as the associate head coach. Byler was previously with the program as an assistant on former head coach Jeremy White's staff in 2023 as the Lady Lions won their first Southland Conference regular season championship and a second-straight SLC Tournament title. McBride's promotion and Byler's hire are pending approval of the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors.
 
McBride joined the Southeastern program as the associate head coach for the 2024 season. The Lady Lions finished 26-5 overall, rolled to a perfect 16-0 SLC record on the way to their second straight Southland Conference title and put together a 26-match winning streak. Southland Player of the Year Cicily Hidalgo led a contingent of three all-conference performers for SLU.
 
McBride made his return to the SLC sidelines this fall, after previously spending 14 seasons at McNeese (1990-2003), where he was the winningest coach in program history. His time with the Cowgirls 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 his time at McNeese, he coached 14 All-Southland first team selections, 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.
 
McBride started his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater Lamar, serving as an assistant with the Cardinals during a stretch that saw LU win two SLC titles and advance to the NCAA Tournament twice.
 
Byler returns to Hammond, America after a season at Jacksonville University where she helped guide the Dolphins to a 10-6 record and a fifth-place in the ASUN with one of her players earning All-ASUN honors while two others were named to the conference's All-Freshman team.
 
With Byler on the staff in 2023, the Lady Lions went 28-5 and 17-1 in the Southland, winning both the SLC's regular season and tournament titles and a berth into the NCAA National Championship Tournament.
 
Byler has been active in coaching since 2016, but made her way to a Division I staff in 2021 at South Dakota. She then moved to Morehead State before her stint at SLU.
 
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
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