UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Women's Volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley announced on Monday the addition of Michael Henchy as an assistant coach. Henchy joins the Nittany Lions' staff after spending the past three season as the associate head coach at James Madison.
"I am excited to have Michael join our staff," Schumacher-Cawley said. "Mike has a track record of success as a player and coach. He comes to us as a highly-recommended and very well-respected member of the coaching profession! He brings great energy, vast volleyball knowledge, work ethic and a competitive fire that I believe will help our gym tremendously. I'm confident that Mike will make an impact and am excited to welcome him, his wife Ally, son Calvin and golden retriever Scout to the Penn State family."
"I am immensely grateful to be joining the Penn State Women's Volleyball program," Henchy said. "I am excited by the energy and drive of the players, Katie, and the Penn State staff to pursue a National Championship and I'm thrilled to contribute to the volleyball legacy that has been built here in Happy Valley."
Henchy has done nothing but win during his collegiate coaching career as he has helped guide teams to NCAA or conference championships at every stop. During his time at James Madison, the Dukes went 62-22 overall and advanced to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. The team earned an automatic bid with a Sun Belt Championship in 2022 and then received an at-large berth the following season in 2023. In Henchy's three seasons in Harrisonburg, James Madison players earned one All-America honor, seven all-conference awards, and seven CoSIDA Academic All-District accolades.
Prior to his time in James Madison, Henchy spent two seasons on the staff with legendary head coach Barry Goldberg at Patriot League power American. The Eagles won the 2019 conference title, their 16th in program history, to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Henchy made the move to the women's side after two highly-successful seasons as a graduate assistant for the men's volleyball team at Springfield College. He was named the 2019 Division III Assistant Coach of the Year after helping lead the Pride to a 27-3 record and an appearance in the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament. That came just one season after he played a pivotal role in the Pride going 31-2 on their way to the Division III National Championship.
Henchy earned a bachelor's degree in communications with an emphasis in strategic communications from Ohio State in 2015. He was a two-year captain and four-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes, finishing with 1,001 kills during his career while also ranking ninth in program history in aces (88) and 16th in points (1,215.5). He was an AVCA honorable-mention All-American in his senior season and earned two All-MIVA honors.
After playing professionally in Lamia, Greece, Henchy returned to his alma mater to serve as a volunteer assistant with the Buckeyes men's team. He was on staff for the National Championship run in 2017.
Henchy went on to earn a master's degree in physical education and advance level coaching while working as a graduate assistant at Springfield College.
Henchy joins a Penn State team that is coming off its 43rd-consecutive appearance in the National Tournament. The Nittany Lions return four starters from that team, including All-American Jess Mruzik and All-Big Ten honoree Camryn Hannah. The 2024 season marks Schumacher-Cawley's third as head coach.
