Interim head coach Heather Gearhart announced the hiring of Pono Yin as an assistant coach for the Winthrop Volleyball program in August of 2022.
Yin comes to Winthrop after spending the past year as the head men’s volleyball coach and assistant women’s volleyball coach at Lees-McRae.
“I feel very fortunate to have someone of Pono’s caliber joining the staff,” Gearhart said. “Pono has a wide range of experience at all levels of the game in both the men’s and women’s sides, and in different regions of the country. His head coaching experience will be invaluable to our staff and players, and it was admirable what he was able to accomplish in his previous stop. Most importantly, he values the student-athletes, and their experiences first and genuinely cares about their development, which is our primary focus here. I am excited to see how Pono’s coaching style and background helps improve our program immediately.”
During his time in Banner Elk, Lees-McRae finished with the most wins since 2017, a Conference Carolinas Tournament Appearance, two Conference Carolinas Players of the Week, and three Bobcats on the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll. Yin coached first-team all-conference selection Michael Marsans, who led both the nation and Conference Carolinas with a 5.23 kills/set average and ranked fifth in the nation with 392 kills.
“I am ecstatic to be a part of the Winthrop Volleyball program, community, and coaching staff,” Yin commented. “I would like to thank athletic director Chuck Rey and the Winthrop athletic department for welcoming me with open arms and a special thanks to coach Heather Gearhart for this amazing opportunity. After speaking with coach Gearhart, and hearing about her vision she has for us as a staff and the program as a whole, I knew this would be the right fit for me. Her passion and drive to nurture great student-athletes all while competing at a high level is second to none, and that is an environment I want to be in. Can’t wait to get the season on the way! Go Eagles!“
Prior to his time at Lees-McRae, Yin was an assistant coach at Drake. Yin helped guide the Bulldogs to one of their best seasons in program history in 2020. The team finished second place in the MVC standings - tied for the program’s highest ever finish - and best finish since 1996. Yin also coached the program's second ever MVC Player of the Year, and two other Bulldogs to first-team All-MVC honors that year. His main responsibilities included managing the program’s budget, facility arrangements for practices, coaching all positions with a focus on the team’s offense, assisting with recruiting evaluations and communications, and overseeing the team’s equipment. In addition to his duties as an assistant coach, Yin also planned and organized the program’s volunteering efforts, including the annual Spike’s Dog Pack and the Bulldog Volleyball Camps.
Prior to his three years at Drake, Yin coached at his alma mater, Graceland University. He was an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s volleyball programs. He assisted in all aspects of the programs including the creation of practice plans and skill development while overseeing the programs’ travel. Yin coached alongside AVCA Hall of Fame member, Stew McDole.
Yin was a setter and libero at Graceland University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
