Kelly Herrmann began her tenure as the head coach of the Franciscan volleyball team as the program’s first and only head coach in 2003. Under Herrmann, the Lady Barons have amassed a 130-194 record as a NCAA program in the last 12 seasons. Herrmann will be preparing the Lady Barons for the challenging switch to the PAC conference in the 2020 season. They posted a record of 3-2 against PAC foes in the 2019 season.
Herrmann coached the Lady Barons to six-straight AMCC postseason appearances from 2011-2016, including back-to-back AMCC Championships in 2014 and ’15. The Lady Barons made consecutive appearances in the NCAA DIII tournament, including the first in program history in 2014
She has led the program to a 63-48 regular season conference record since the Lady Barons joined the AMCC in 2008 and a 52-31 record in the conference since becoming a full member of the NCAA in 2011.
Herrmann has coached 28 all-conference players since 2008, including a Player of the Year and a Newcomer of the Year. In 2013, Herrmann was named the AMCC Coach of the Year.
In 2015, the Lady Barons finished the season 15-18 with a 6-3 record on the AMCC. Two players reached impressive milestones in 2015 as senior Dani Link became the all-time kills leader at FUS with 1,040. Link was the first player in program history to surpass the 1,000-kill mark. Senior Sam Kelly set the all-time digs record in 2014 but reached the 2,000-dig milestone in 2015. Kelly finished her career with 2,185. The Lady Barons hosted the first playoff game at Kuzma Court against Mount Aloysius.
FUS was one of the top defensive teams in the nation in a four-year stretch from 2011-14. The Lady Barons have ranked in the top 25% of the county in digs per set each of the last four years. FUS reached its highest ranking in 2014 as the third highest team in digs per set, averaging 20.97.
2011 marked the first year as full members of the NCAA and AMCC for the Lady Barons. That season, Herrmann led Franciscan to a 12-13 overall record and a 5-4 mark in the conference. Now eligible for postseason participation, the Lady Barons earned the fifth-seed in their first AMCC tournament appearance.
The Lady Barons have experienced tremendous academic success, winning the AMCC Peak Performer Award for 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. This award is given to the team in the conference with the highest team grade point average while in season.
Herrmann became a member of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy in 2010. She also co-authored a book on coaching from a faith perspective called “Coach Them Well” published by St. Mary’s Press.
Herrmann enjoys spending time with her husband John, who serves as the Executive Director of Enrollment Services at the university and is also a 1987 graduate of FUS, and their six children: Johnny (28), Peter (26), Leo (24), Emily (22), Kevin (21) and Michael (18). Johnny, Peter, and Leo also FUS graduates as well and Emily, Kevin, and Michael are current Franciscan students.
Herrmann graduated from Franciscan University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She has served the university in many roles and is currently the intramural coordinator (2011-present) and head volleyball coach (2003-present).
Updated 3/25/20
