Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Volleyball Announces Assistant Coaches For 2024
5/6/2024 3:25:00 PM | Volleyball
HC Ari Aganus welcomes Heather Stout to Herd, promotes Kaitlyn Gehler
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Volleyball coach Ari Aganus announced the addition of two assistant coaches – Heather Stout and Kaitlyn Gehler – to the Thundering Herd staff on Monday.
Stout joins Marshall after serving as the head coach at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., for the last three years.
During Stout's tenure at CUA, the Cardinals improved their win total in each season, culminating with a 20-12 record in 2023. That continued a trend of improving by at least five wins from her first season on as CUA built its program.
Stout's program at CUA also earned the AVCA Team Academic Award from 2020-22, which went to teams that averaged a 3.3 grade point average and above.
The Mt. Jackson, Va., native took over at Catholic University of America after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Fairleigh Dickinson.
Stout played for four seasons and served as team captain for Glenville State where she earned her B.A. in Early Education and Behavioral Science in 2014. She later earned her Master's Degree in Sport Management from Brooklyn College in 2016.
"We are so lucky to have found Heather and to have her excitement for the program," Aganus said. "In our process, I wanted to make sure we found the right fit, and a person who I knew would make an immediate impact on the program while having the core values that we live by in this program. Her uncle played football here, so she understood the passion, history and tradition of Marshall, and as a sitting head coach, she has proven her success and operates the right way. Her passion for the student-athlete and their experience, along with her level of success, is something I knew we needed with our program."
Gehler's promotion to assistant coach continues her quick ascent in the coaching business with the Thundering Herd.
Hired as the director of volleyball operations in July 2023, Gehler took on extended duties following the 2023 season after the departures of former assistants Bijonae Jones and Charlie French.
Gehler flourished in the elevated role and was an integral part of the team's development and operations this spring.
"Kaitlyn is 100% deserving of this promotion," Aganus said. "When you have someone step up without being asked because of their love for the program and because that's the type of person they are, you hang on to that person in any way possible. Kaitlyn is constantly wanting to learn and become the best she can be for herself, but more importantly for this program. She has hit the ground running both in the gym and on the recruiting trail, and I am so proud and happy to keep her by my side in a new role."
The Waterloo, Wisc., native joined Marshall's staff last season after playing her final year with the Thundering Herd, leading the team with 409 digs while adding 93 assists in the 2022 season. She also played two seasons each at Wyoming and Memphis.
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