Feb. 13, 2004

Champaign, Ill. - University of Illinois head volleyball coach Don Hardin has been a busy man the past few weeks, working around the clock to fill his assistant coaching positions. "Having both positions open provided a tremendous challenge but also a tremendous opportunity. The response to these openings was overwhelming," Hardin said.

That hard work has paid off in short order with Hardin announcing today some exciting additions to the Illinois program in the hiring of former Fighting Illini star Mary Coleman and former Ohio State standout Jen Flynn as assistant coaches. In addition, former BYU All-American and current USA Women's National Team assistant coach Kevin Hambly is joining the Illini staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

"Mary, Jen, and Kevin bring special qualities to our program," Hardin said. "Together, these people represent the necessary ingredients to provide the very best possible experience for the goals and ambitions of top recruits and current players. They have ties and exposure at the national team level, professional level, NCAA Championship level, Big Ten Conference level, and even ties with Illinois and special ties with me. These are not only great coaches to have in the gym teaching our players, but they are very special people. I'm more excited than I have ever been about what this represents for the future of our program."

Coleman, a native of Palos Park, Ill., had a stellar career at Illinois. She lettered from 1995-98, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and Academic All-Big Ten honors in '96. During her tenure, the outside hitter helped lead the Illini to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen and a final national ranking of 14th during her senior season of '98. Coleman ranks second in UI history with 1,707 career kills and is the school's all-time leader in attack attempts. She also ranks second in school history with 1,393 digs and is 10th with 115 aces. After earning her degree in kinesiology, Coleman played professionally in Germany for the Weisbaden Volleyball Club in 2000 and in the former USPV with the Minnesota Chill. She worked in Chicago as a sales representative and is currently serving as a director for Elevation Volleyball Camps in Colorado Springs, Colo. while also managing a local business.

"Mary's ties to Illinois, her experience with the conference, and her experience as a business woman and professional athlete make her an exceptional role model for our athletes," Hardin said. "She gives a special energy to her work and to the people she represents."

"I am excited about my return to Champaign and Illinois volleyball," Coleman said. "My time as a player was filled with great memories of fan and community support. I have the utmost respect for Don Hardin and believe Illinois is headed in the direction of Big Ten championships and NCAA Final Four appearances. I am looking forward to being a part of this very exciting time for the Illini program."

Jen Flynn grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. and played at Ohio State from 1996-99. She helped lead the Buckeyes to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in '99. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and four-time Ohio State scholar athlete. Flynn, who was both a hitter and a setter during her collegiate career, ranks fourth in OSU history with 3,213 assists, seventh with 1,138 digs and 10th with 274 blocks. She was a member of the USPV "Dream Team" in 2000 and played on the USPV's Grand Rapids Force. Flynn earned a bachelor's degree in sport and leisure studies and was a volunteer assistant coach at Ohio State in 2001. She joined the USA National Team in 2002, starting at setter and leading the team to a silver medal at the 2002 World Championships. Flynn has most recently been working in the Rockford, Mich. elementary school system.

"Jen and I have ties which date back to her days in Pittsburgh, where I grew up and started coaching volleyball. We also both played at Ohio State," Hardin said. "Jen later went on to the professional ranks, where she roomed with several of our former Illini. We feel as though we already know each other and I was hoping that one day I would have the chance to hire her on staff. She has extensive experience at all levels of play and will play a big role in helping the development of our setters and defensive players. Jen is one of the most competitive individuals I have met and will bring that energy to Illinois. She is very organized and will make an immediate impact in helping me design the responsibilities of the new staff."

"I am extremely excited to start my coaching career at the University of Illinois," Flynn said. "I have always been impressed with the tremendous support shown not only from the University, but the community as well. I also feel that I will learn a lot from Don Hardin. He is a very knowledgeable coach who prides himself on having a team that loves the game, works hard, and will compete for a Big Ten title. I am thrilled to be a part of such a solid program.

"As an assistant coach, I would like to give back to younger athletes all that has been given to me," Flynn added. "I feel that I can pass along a large amount of knowledge that I have gained at the professional and international levels in order to get the Fighting Illini to the next level."

Mary Coleman is currently engaged to Kevin Hambly, and with a September wedding date planned, the couple is coming to Champaign together. This has provided the unique opportunity for Hambly to join the Illini staff as a volunteer assistant coach immediately following the Olympics. Hambly was an All-American middle blocker at Brigham Young from 1992-95 and then played professionally in France for the Montpelier Club. He was an assistant coach at UNLV and also was an assistant with the USPV's Minnesota Chill. Hambly has been serving as an assistant coach since 2001 under Toshi Yoshida for the USA Women's National Team as the U.S. prepares for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

"Having Mary and Kevin both joining our program is incredible," Hardin said. "Kevin is one of the best volleyball trainers in the country and certainly one of the up-and-coming coaching talents in our sport. They are both terrific people and I think our community and team will really enjoy them."

"I am excited to continue my responsibilities with the national team, and more specifically, helping USA volleyball attain a gold medal at the Olympics in August," Hambly said. "To be able to come directly from Athens to the University of Illinois and continue my education, as well as work with the great volleyball program that Illinois has, is a wonderful opportunity."