State College of Florida hires new volleyball coach

BRADENTON -- Angie Byrd only needed one season in Oklahoma to give Seminole State College its best season in program history. During her one season in Seminole, the Trojans won their region and cracked the national top 20.

Since her breakthrough season at Seminole State, Byrd has been in the Carolinas and right now is working in athletic compliance. She'll return to coaching March 21 when she begins her stint as the new head coach at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

"We sought out to find an individual who was passionate about student success and was proven at the two-year athletic level," State College of Florida athletic director Matt Ennis said in a statement. "Byrd is the perfect fit."

Byrd has coached in both junior college and Division II, and has compiled a 258-121 career record. Her career began at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Alabama before she spent her one season with the Trojans. She then jumped to D-II and coached University of North Carolina at Pembroke to a pair rof Peach Belt Tournament appearances. Every one of her athletes graduated during her tenure.

After working in the athletic department at South Carolina's Benedict College, another D-II school, Byrd is set to return to the JUCO ranks in Bradenton.

"I am very thankful for this opportunity," Byrd said in a statement. "I am eager to get started, and I am confident that this will be a very rewarding experience for my family and SCF."

Byrd has reached the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament four times during time as a head coach and sent 21 players to continue their careers at four-year schools. She coached 27 all-region players, two region players of the year and two All-Americans.

The Manatees finished 7-13 last season after reaching the NJCAA tournament the year before.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 11:43 PM with the headline "State College of Florida hires new volleyball coach ."