MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Athletic Department announced the hiring of Chad Sutton as Mercer's new head volleyball coach. Sutton joins the Bears from Coastal Carolina where he served as an assistant coach for the 2022 season.

"I am excited to welcome Coach Sutton to the Mercer family," Director of Athletics, Jim Cole said. "In the interview process, Chad's energy and vision for where he could take the Mercer program jumped out at me. His focus and attention to detail on developing a championship culture will be fun to watch moving forward. Everyone in the department looks forward to being part of his program."

"I am extremely excited to have Chad join our staff as the new head volleyball coach," Athletics' Chief Operating Officer, Sybil Blalock said. "His experience in volleyball will benefit our players and program greatly. His leadership will strengthen our volleyball program and support the success of our program athletically and academically."

Sutton has demonstrated success in each of his coaching roles. At Coastal Carolina, Sutton helped guide the Chanticleers to the No. 2 seed in the Sun Belt East Division for the 2022 championships, earning a two-round bye. He coached two players to All-Sun Belt honors as Ella Saada was named to the first team and Lina Perugini earned second-team honors.

"I would like to express my gratitude to Jim Cole, Sybil Blalock, and Bill Underwood for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead the Mercer volleyball program," Sutton said. "I am grateful for my time at Coastal Carolina, and look forward to starting a new chapter at Mercer."

Prior to joining Coastal Carolina, Sutton served as the volunteer assistant coach at Purdue for the 2020-21 and 2021 seasons. During this time, Sutton helped lead the Boilermakers to back-to-back NCAA Elite 8 appearances. Purdue went 16-7 overall in a Big Ten only schedule in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and posted a 26-7 record in the fall of 2021. Purdue ranked in the top 15 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) coaches poll throughout the entire 2021 fall season.

Sutton made the jump to the collegiate ranks from Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, Florida, where he served as head coach for five seasons. The Cougars posted back-to-back seasons winning 22 or more games en route to a pair of state championship appearances. Sutton led the team to the 2019 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 3A State Championship title, the first in program history. Cardinal Mooney was ranked 23^rd nationally by MaxPreps in 2019 while playing the third-toughest strength of schedule in the country. For his efforts, Sutton was named the 2019 Florida Dairy Farmers 3A Coach of the Year.

Overall, Sutton coached 16 Division I-bound players and directed five teams that finished in the top-5 at the AAU Nationals. Sutton also previously served as the club director for the Orlando Tampa Volleyball Academy – Sarasota (2017-19) and the head coach for Sarasota High School (2011-15).

A 2009 graduate of Florida State University, Sutton holds a bachelor's degree in sport management. He also holds an associate degree from Manatee Community College in 2007.

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