DALLAS (SMU) - Samantha "Sam" Erger has been named Head Volleyball Coach at SMU, Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced today.
Erger comes to the Hilltop after eight seasons at Baylor, where she spent the last two seasons as associate head coach. Prior to her promotion, she spent five seasons as an assistant coach and one season as director of operations in Waco.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Erger and her family to SMU," said Hart. "She is a dynamic teacher and recruiter and has a great vision for SMU Volleyball. In partnership with her staff and our student-athletes, we believe she will position our program for national prominence and conference championships."
"I am humbled and thrilled for this opportunity to lead SMU Volleyball and want to thank Dr. Turner, Rick Hart, Kyle Conder, Susan Vollmerhausen and the many other incredible staff members who made it evident SMU is the place to be," said Erger. "From the very start I was blown away at the level of commitment, care, and investment in every single SMU student-athlete and the volleyball program.
"SMU Volleyball has everything needed to be a premier program and a top choice for recruits looking for high level academics and athletics. Our student-athletes will graduate from one of the top universities in the country and will live on an amazingly beautiful campus located in the heart of one of the most prominent and exciting cities in the world. Our coaching staff is committed to growing them as people and players, with a goal to provide the best collegiate volleyball experience possible. I am excited to get to work and make the University and the Dallas community proud!"
In addition to her role as an assistant coach, she also served as Baylor's recruiting coordinator and setting coach. Under her guidance, her 2022 class is ranked No. 4 by PrepVolleyball.com and includes the Gatorade National Player of the Year, setter Averi Carlson. As she leaves Waco, the 2023 Bears' class is ranked No. 9 in the country. Their 2021 class was also ranked No. 9 by VolleyballMag.com, the 2019 class was ranked No. 11 by PrepVolleyball.com and their 2017 class was also ranked in the top 20. Erger helped recruit the program's then-highest-ranked recruit from PrepVolleyball.com in Kara McGhee and also helped land three other UA All-Americans in 2019.
In 2021, Erger helped lead Baylor to its third consecutive NCAA Regional Semifinal. It was the Bears' sixth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 20+-win season. Her group of fifth-year seniors ended their careers with 91 wins over four years and 115 over five, making a National Semifinal and winning a Big 12 Championship in the process. The group also earned a No. 1 AVCA national ranking and No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2019.
Prior to coming to Baylor, she made her head coaching debut at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. Upon taking the position in 2013, she recruited 10 new players to complement only five returnees and led the young team to a 29-9 overall record, an NTJCAC Conference title and ended a 12-year Hill College drought by reaching the NJCAA Division I national tournament. She was subsequently honored as the 2013 NJCAA District F Coach of the Year. That same season, Erger coached Hill College's first All-American since 1996.
Erger had a two-year graduate assistant stint at NCAA Division II Findlay (Ohio) to begin her coaching career. There, she was responsible for training setters and assisted in recruiting efforts.
After completing her collegiate playing career, Erger was a member of the inaugural class of the 2011 FCA Volleyball college internship program in Huntington Beach, Calif. In addition, she was a 2010 American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches for Coaches scholarship recipient.
Erger played NCAA Division I volleyball at Bowling Green State as a setter, and she left the school ranked fifth all-time in career assists, second all-time in single-season assists, and top 10 in career aces. As a freshman in 2007, Erger earned MAC All-Freshman team recognition. Erger graduated from BGSU in 2011 with a degree in business administration and marketing and completed a master's degree in business administration from the University of Findlay in 2013.
Erger has three sisters who all played collegiate volleyball. Rachel and Kristen played at Central Connecticut and Rochester College, respectively, while Jordan is the head coach at Dallas Baptist after a successful career at Virginia Tech and playing professionally in Denmark. In addition, Erger's father, Jim Fish, is a prominent high school volleyball coach at North Branch High School in North Branch, Mich.
Erger's husband, James, played basketball at BGSU. The couple has three children: sons, Malachi and Micah, and daughter, Demi.
What They're Saying About Sam Erger
Ryan McGuyre, Baylor Head Coach
"Sam Erger is an incredible hire for SMU. I'm confident Sam will take SMU to unprecedented levels. She combines a relentless work ethic with a passionate desire to teach. She loves the whole athlete. She is an elite level coach and will soon be considered one of the country's best. Her vision and wisdom will permeate every facet of the program. SMU fans can look forward to thrilling and exciting volleyball matches."
Jim Barnes, Iowa Head Coach
"SMU and Sam Erger are a perfect fit. Sam's passion for the game and for her players will make an immediate impact on the program. She is a true rising star in our profession."
Shelly Stafford, Three-time All-American (Baylor), USA National Team Member, Pro Volleyball Player
"As I look back on my five years at Baylor, I attribute a huge portion of my success and growth to Sam Erger. Sam has an incredible ability to influence and inspire those around her to become the best version of themselves. I feel that is exactly what she was able to do for me, motivate me to become the best version of myself on the court, in the classroom, in life and most importantly through my relationship with The Lord. I am so excited for Sam to embark on this new journey with SMU Volleyball because I am confident she will bring her passion and determination for success to that program just as she radiated it at Baylor. SMU really got a good one."
