As the team went in for one final message from their leader, they knew the outcome was not what they had hoped for but they knew they proved many doubters wrong and their coach could not have been more proud. This was not the end of a journey but what could be the start of a new era for the Mercer Bears volleyball program.
In April earlier this year, the Mercer Bears declared Chad Sutton to be their new head coach for the volleyball team. Sutton spent numerous years coaching around the nation, including as an assistant for Purdue helping contribute to back to back elite 8 appearances.
Sutton began his journey with leading youth at the high school in Sarasota, Florida. During his time there, he led them to their first ever state title in school history. He also won the 3A Dairy farms coach of the year award in 2019.
“My roots of actually mentoring and leading youth come from my parents”, Sutton said.
Sutton’s parents were children’s directors at a Baptist church.
“That was always a big part of our life”, Sutton explained.
Coach Sutton recognizes there is a unique feel to Mercer’s campus beyond appearance.
“There’s a lot of different things that each school offers that is attractive but something that really stood out here is all the people…that was something that really drew us in while I was here on the interview,” Sutton said.
Last year the Bears volleyball team finished with a 10-19 overall record and had 6 wins to their 10 losses in conference play.
“The building of the program that goes on behind the scenes is definitely something that people who don’t know underestimate”, Sutton explained while discussing his role beyond coaching from the sidelines.
Mercer was projected to finish 7th in a preseason poll article done by the Southern Conference. During the 2023 regular season, Mercer finished with a 12-4 conference record, and became 2nd in the conference standings. Mercer lost in the first round of the SOCON tournament to Chattanooga which put their season to a conclusion.
“On one hand we want to recognize the good things but also saying we put this as a goal didn’t accomplish it,” Sutton said.
Sutton will begin his second season as the Mercer bears head coach next fall with his wife Valerie by his side as an assistant coach.
