by Taylor Cotie

The Greensboro College athletic department has announced the resignation of head women’s volleyball coach, Kevin Troup. After seven seasons with the Pride, Troup will be continuing his coaching career as the head coach of the women’s volleyball team at a Division II school, the University of Mount Olive. Over the course of seven seasons, Troup led the team to numerous achievements, including two USA South quarterfinal appearances, two semifinal matches and a USA South Championship appearance during the 2023 season.

The Collegian had the opportunity to speak with Coach Troup on his time and experience as the head coach of the Greensboro College volleyball team. When asked about how he felt he has grown as a coach at GC, he said, “When I was named head coach for the women’s volleyball program back in 2018, it was three weeks before the start of the season and we had seven student athletes on the roster. Fortunately, two ladies joined the program prior to the start of the season. We finished 4-23 that year. My overall record at GC is 103-96. Had you told me I would have won 100 matches at GC after year one, I might have laughed and said, ‘At this rate, it could take a while!’ I believe I have learned how to adapt to the game and today’s student athletes in my time at GC. There was a lot of adversity thrown my way at GC, but I always believed in the team and the potential they had.”

When asked about his favorite memories from the last seven years, Troup said, “This is a tough question because I have so many fond memories. One that sticks out the most was in year two. We had qualified for the conference tournament and our first round match up was against my former program. A program that had beaten us four straight matches. Not to mention, they were up two sets to none in our USA South tournament matchup. We proceeded to reverse sweep them in a highly competitive match on a neutral court where the fans were so electric. Members of the football staff made the drive to support us along with family and friends. That is when I knew GC was a special place.

Reflecting on his time here at Greensboro College, Troup shared with the Collegian what he will miss the most and what made GC special to him: “The players without a doubt – as I told them, it was an absolute honor to coach the young ladies I had the opportunity to in my seven years at GC. Those young ladies had so many options, and they committed to play for the Pride and believed in me as their coach. I was just the bearded guy on the sidelines helping them see the court, but they were able to execute the game plan and help me achieve 103 wins in my career.”

Troup also added, “What makes GC special to me was the support the Pride family showed to me, my family and my teams. Seeing Greensboro College’s President, Dr. Czarda, and his wife Carolyn in the stands for most home matches, along with the cafeteria staff, Ms. Sherry and Mr. James, cheering loudly for my young ladies and so many other faculty, staff and fellow coaches supporting is something I will never forget. I have been asked this question a lot, and my answers has always been the support and family vibe I felt from the moment I stepped on campus.”

         A player who has had the privilege of playing under Troup for three seasons is junior outside hitter, Kelci Brooks. The Collegian had the chance to speak with Brooks about the impact Troup had on her and the team over the years. “Coach Troup was an impactful coach on and off the court. He played a major role in shaping our growth, skills and mindset and truly cared for us as people and not just as players. I am very grateful to have played for him for the past three years and our team wishes him the best and we cannot wait to see what our next season has in store” Brooks shared.

As for myself, I also had the privilege of playing for Troup for three seasons. When I was recruited in 2022, I looked at several schools but ultimately decided on Greensboro College because Coach Troup made me feel welcome. At the time, I was not looking to stay in Greensboro, but he made the campus feel like a place I would be able to call home even before enrolling as a student. Troup was someone I could always go and talk to. He was not just a coach – he was a father figure to us all.

The Collegian also spoke with GC women’s soccer head coach, Mike Johnston, a former colleague and friend of Coach Troup, who shared his thoughts on Troup’s impact on the Greensboro College campus. “Coach Troup was a wonderful colleague, a great coach and a remarkable steward of GC.  He was a friendly presence throughout campus and embodied what GC athletics is and should be. To me, the mark of a great coach is the way in which they leave their program, and there is no question our volleyball program is in a great place. Even in departing GC, Coach Troup did all he could to ensure our success in volleyball for years to come.” Johnston said. When asked what he will miss most about Troup’s presence on campus, Johnston said, “Professionally, I will miss his friendly presence and the way in which he was always willing to help. He was not just a coach to his volleyball athletes; he was a coach to all our student-athletes and always met them with a smile.  Personally, I will miss our friendship, and his competitive drive. Coaches like Coach Troup push others each and every day. I wish him well and know he will continue to do great things on and off the court.”

Greensboro College will miss Troup and we thank him for the amazing seven years he had with the Pride. We wish him the best in his future endeavors!