When Eric Hagan’s tenure as head coach of Kentucky Wesleyan College’s volleyball program came to an end after almost a decade in 2022, he was content to stay away from the sport. A few years later, his niece Isabelle entered the travel volleyball world, convincing him to become her club team’s head coach.
With a reignited interest in the sport, yesterday, Hagan was introduced as the new Owensboro Catholic volleyball head coach.
“I have to thank my niece for getting me back into the sport,” Hagan said. “…I am blessed with this opportunity. If you had asked me a year ago, it probably wouldn’t have been on my radar, but it just goes to show you how life is, and opportunities present themselves. Once this opportunity became available, I was very excited.”
Hagan’s coaching career began in the mid 2000s as an assistant coach at Daviess County. After four years, he joined the Owensboro Catholic coaching staff as an assistant under Steve Howard from 2009 to 2010. From there, he joined KWC’s ranks as an assistant before being named the head coach in 2013 – a role he held until 2022. Since 2025, he has been the coach of KSA Volleyball Club’s 12-year-old and 16-year-old groups.
“Volleyball has a proud tradition here, and we believe the future is bright,” Owensboro Catholic Athletic Director Ben Hardesty said in the introductory press conference. “Our student-athletes are talented, dedicated, and eager to grow. They deserve a coach who will challenge them, support them, help them reach their potential, all while growing closer in their faith.”
It has been over three years since the Lady Aces volleyball program last won the 3rd Region Championship, having fallen in the title game in 2023 and 2024, before bowing out in the semis this past season. There is only one goal on Hagan’s mind – getting his new program over the hump.
“I don’t think that’s a lofty goal,” Hagan said. “The goal is to win the Region.”
