April 1, 2011
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head volleyball coach Scott Swanson filled out his staff today, hiring Moritz Moritz as an assistant coach and Shane Wilkinson as the director of operations for the Gamecocks.
Moritz will serve as the Gamecocks’ recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator, working with the middle blockers and all defenders. He’ll also assist in scheduling, scouting, video breakdown, game and practice planning and be the coaching staff’s liaison to strength and conditioning. Wilkinson will coordinate the Gamecocks’ travel and general program operations, serve as co-camp director, help organize on-campus recruiting, work with digital video and team statistics and work as the marketing liaison.
Moritz comes to Columbia from Idaho, where he spent the past five seasons working as the team’s defensive coordinator under Debbie Buchanan with the Vandals. He handled much of the Vandals’ off-court schedule, working with player academic progress and coordinating community service efforts while also handling film work for the team. During his five years in Moscow, the Vandals posted a .500 or better record in Western Athletic Conference play each season, including two 11-win conference seasons.
“I am extremely excited to have an experienced coach like Moritz join my staff,” said Swanson. “Moritz really knows the game of volleyball and understands how to train effectively while having a great rapport with the athletes. We are proud to have a staff of quality people who will foster a unique and enjoyable student-athlete experience.”
Prior to Moritz’s time in Idaho, he worked in the Fort Collins, Colo., area, spending time as the coach for the top 18s team with the Norco Junior Volleyball Club. He also served as a volunteer assistant for the prominent Colorado State program for five seasons (1998-2002) while joining the staff on an interim basis in 2004. During 2005, Moritz worked as an assistant coach at Fort Collins High School.
Moritz graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State in 2006, playing club volleyball during his time there. He is married to the former Kevann Tuell, and they have one son, Curren Reef.
Wilkinson will serve in the same role that he has the past three years at Ohio State. He helped the Buckeyes with video exchange, video breakdown and statistical anaylsis while coordinating team travel and community service work. Prior to his stint in Columbus, he was an administrative assistant for women’s volleyball at Ball State. Wilkinson led the team’s efforts with new technology while working with team travel, equipment, video and statistical work.
“Shane Wilkinson comes to us from Ohio State, where he has firsthand experience with the day-to-day operations of a nationally-prominent volleyball program,” commented Swanson. “His experience and organizational skills will allow our coaching staff to be very focused on the most important phases of the program. Shane is an excellent and very necessary addition to our staff.”
A 2008 graduate of Ball State in telecommunications, Wilkinson also worked as general manager of Ball State’s student radio station, serving as the play-by-play voice for Cardinals’ basketball and men’s volleyball. The station claimed seven Communicator Awards in 2007, the most in station history.
Moritz and Wilkinson join Michelle Collier and Swanson on the full-time staff, as Collier will return for her second year as an assistant coach for the Gamecocks.
