THIBODAUX, La. – With over ten years of head coaching experience and 200 victories, Nicholls State University athletics director Rob Bernardi today announced the hiring of Tommy Harold as the ninth head coach of the Colonels women's volleyball program. Harold's hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
 
Harold comes to Thibodaux after spending the last decade at the helm of the Loyola-New Orleans program, where the New Orleans native turned the Wolfpack into one of the most feared teams in the Gulf Coast and Southern States Athletic Conference. “Tommy was extremely successful at Loyola, and we have every reason to believe that he will continue his success at Nicholls,” Bernardi said.
 
Becoming just the third head coach in team history, Harold had eight seasons with 20 or more wins and never had a losing season on his watch at Loyola, leaving with an overall record of 207-113 (.647). That winning total could have been even higher if not for two seasons cut short due to hurricanes, as in 2007 he led the team to its third-highest win total in program history with 28 and the GCAC tournament title, reaching that number again last season.
 
“I'm thankful to Rob and the Nicholls administration for this opportunity, and look forward to coming in and getting started right away,” Harold said. “I think there is a lot of untapped talent and resources here in this area that are just waiting to be used and I hope to be able to make this team one the university and community can be proud of.”
 
The Jesuit High School grad recruited and coached over 50 postseason award recipients, including two freshmen of the year, two libero's of the year and a setter of the year. Harold's teams have also been some of the best in the classroom as well, as his groups have maintained 3.0 GPA's or better in at least eight of his ten seasons, being recognized by the NAIA and AVCA for academic excellence.
 
One way Harold has found success is the national recruiting base he's be able to accumulate from his over dozen-year career in the club volleyball circuit. He led the successful Cajunland Volleyball Club in New Orleans beginning in the late 90's and during his time had nine teams finish in the top ten at the USA volleyball and AAU National Championships. After earning a silver medal in 2001 at the USAV Championships and in 2003 at the AAU Championships in Orlando, he retired from the club following the 2011 season after 13 years of service.
 
“His familiarity with Nicholls, along with his many ties to club volleyball in south Louisiana made him a natural choice for us,” Bernardi said.
 
Before getting into coaching, Harold was a Division I player at St. Francis University where he was a setter and defensive specialist. He eventually earned his bachelors from Randolph Macon College and masters from the University of New Orleans. After his playing days, he became a student assistant coach at Texas Christian University for two seasons while playing on the men's club team. Before joining Loyola, Harold spent one year as an assistant coach at Metarie Park Country Day School in 2002.
 
“Whether you're a coach or a player, you want the opportunity to compete on the highest level,” Harold said. “I think we have some great pieces coming back, as well as a great class coming in, and if we can start to get pieces here and there this program can make great strides in the Southland Conference.”
 
Tommy Harold Coaching Resume
Student Assistant Coach, Texas Christian University (1997-98)
Head Coach, Cajunland Volleyball Club (1999-2011)
Assistant Coach, Metarie Park Country Day School (2002)
Head Coach, Loyola-New Orleans (2003-12)