UMES Veteran coach trades Hawks for Hoyas as he heads to Georgetown

COAC TOBY RENS

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- University of Maryland Eastern Shore head volleyball coach Toby Rens resigned from his position on Monday, January 8, to accept the head coaching position at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Assistant coach Trevor Callarman will serve as the interim head coach while a national search is underway.

“We value everything that Coach Rens has done for the program and our young ladies over the past four seasons during his return to campus,” Director of Athletics Keith Davidson said. “We wish him nothing but the best in his move to Georgetown.”

Rens just completed his seventh season with the Hawks, and the fourth of his second stint at the helm of the program. 2017 was his most successful year to date as the Hawks went 27-9, earning a berth in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).

“I truly appreciate my time here at Maryland Eastern Shore and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and support that I was given,” Rens said. “I’d like to personally thank Mr. Davidson, Neema Connor, Stan Bradley, Collene Dean, Pat Nativio, Anne Carter and the entire staff.”

Over his Hawk career, he compiled a record of 127-102, winning two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division Championships and two MEAC Coach of the Year awards.

The Hawks also received several MEAC All-Conference selections during his tenure, as well as the Women’s Team of Scholars award for the highest team grade-point average over the 2016-17 academic year. Current sophomore Iva Vujosevic earned honorable mention for the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Regional team in 2017, becoming the first Hawk to do so.

Rens first came to The Shore in 2001, inheriting a team that had not won since 1998. By his second season the Hawks reached the 20-win threshold, and achieved a place in the MEAC Championship match by 2003. Rens left for Long Island University Brooklyn the next year, but returned in 2014 to turn around the program again after a 3-21 campaign the previous season. The Hawks went on to secure 78 victories during his second stint with a 35-13 mark against conference opponents.

“I have truly grown to love the people here and will miss seeing everyone on a regular basis,” Rens said. “The student-athletes that I have worked with over the years have given me many great memories. They certainly won’t be forgotten as each of them have a special place in my heart.”

Georgetown will be Rens’ sixth head coaching stop. He also piloted
programs at Northern Michigan, LIU Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, and Chicago State. He has a 378-266 career record over 18 seasons.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATION