11:56AM Tuesday Dec 16, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS - Hugh McCutcheon, a New Zealander who guided the US men to Olympic gold at the Beijing Olympics, will guide the US women’s team for the next four years.
Doug Beal, USA Volleyball’s chief executive officer, announced today that McCutcheon will replace Jenny Lang Ping, the Chinese legend who guided the US women to a silver medal at Beijing but did not want to continue through 2012.
“This is a great opportunity for me to further develop professionally,” said McCutcheon.
“I’m excited by the challenges this change presents and optimistic some of the knowledge we’ve acquired with the men’s program can translate to the women.”
Beal said there is no timetable to fill the US men’s vacancy but is confident McCutcheon, 39, can bring success in the wake of Lang Ping, who guided the first US Olympic medal effort since 1992.
“There will be differences in systems and aspects of developing team culture but at the end of the day the fundamental principles of volleyball are not gender-specific,” Beal said.
Ze Roberto showed that this year for Brazil, guiding the women to Beijing gold after coaching Brazil’s men to 1992 gold.
“Successful coaches are successful coaches,” Beal said. “I have every confidence that Hugh can learn the differences that surely exist between genders and apply his philosophy to our women’s team in a positive way.
“Hugh proved throughout the past quadrennial his abilities as a great coach, motivator and program manager. The direction he provided allowed our men to steadily climb into position to be champions.”
Two-time US Olympian Lindsey Berg looks forward to what McCutcheon brings.
“He will be able to help us take a huge step forward,” she said. “This will be a great opportunity for our team to work under a different set of philosophies. Hugh will be able to bring in fresh and new ideas for us to build upon, including how we train and compete on the court.”
- AFP
–Posted by Achieve Volleyball