Herman replaces Platt as head volleyball coach

Steve Moniaci, director of athletics, said he was pleased to reveal on Monday that Trent Herman, former University of St. Thomas head volleyball coach, would become Houston Baptist University’s fifth head volleyball coach.

“Trent is an experienced recruiter and has coached at both private and Christian universities,” Moniaci said. “He knows the city very well.”

Herman, a resident of Kingwood with over a decade of coaching experience, is replacing former coach Kaddie Platt after her 17 year tenure at the University.

A graduate of Fort Hayes State University, Herman began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southwest State University and coached the Southwest Minnesota Juniors Volleyball Club.

From 2001-05 Herman served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Iowa State University, where his recruiting class of 2004 ranked among the top 30 in the nation.

Herman arrived in Houston in 2005 and took the position of assistant coach at Rice University, helping the Owls reach the NCAA tournament in 2008.

Prior to coaching at St. Thomas, Herman spent three years as the technical director and coach at Absolute Volleyball Academy in League City, Texas, where he won the Club National Championship in 2009 for his 18’s team.

As head coach at the University of St. Thomas for the past two seasons, Herman set a school record with 24 wins in his first season and won the Association of Independent Institutions Conference Championship for the third straight year.

Last season, St. Thomas’ Lady Celtics finished fourth in their first season at the Red River Athletic Conference competition with an overall record of 19-17.

Herman, who will begin coaching at the University in the fall, said he is excited about competing in both the Great West Conference and the Southland Conference.

“I want to thank Dr. Sloan, Steve Moniaci and the search committee for this opportunity,” he said in a May 7 article on the Huskies website. “My family and I are really excited to be a part of the HBU community. I’m looking forward to this team making a final run at a Great West Conference championship and moving forward as we transition into the Southland Conference.”