News Summary
Mississippi State University has appointed Michael Bouril as the new assistant coach for its volleyball team. Previously with Purdue University, Bouril’s experience includes leading the team to ten consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. His addition follows a tough season for the Bulldogs, who are looking to rebuild after significant player departures. Head coach Julie Darty Dennis is optimistic about Bouril’s potential to enhance the coaching staff and improve team performance for the upcoming season.
Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State University has announced the appointment of Michael Bouril as the new assistant coach for the university’s volleyball team. Bouril’s hiring comes in the wake of former associate head coach Fritz Rosenberg leaving to take on a head coaching role at Belmont University.
Michael Bouril joins Mississippi State after a five-year tenure at Purdue University, where he contributed significantly to the team’s success, leading to ten consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. At Purdue, Bouril transitioned through various roles, starting as a graduate assistant and advancing to technical coordinator and performance analyst. Most recently, in 2023, he served as an assistant coach.
Before his time at Purdue, Bouril was a traveling manager for the volleyball team at Penn State University, which is known for its strong volleyball program. This extensive experience in high-level collegiate volleyball is expected to bring valuable insights and strategies to the Mississippi State program.
Bouril’s appointment marks the second addition to the coaching staff this offseason, following the hiring of former Mississippi State player Lacey Jeffcoat, who previously served as an assistant at Texas-Arlington. The recent changes come after a 2024 season in which the Bulldogs finished with an 11-14 overall record and a 5-11 standing in the Southeastern Conference.
During the previous season, the Bulldogs showcased resilience with notable victories over teams such as Texas A&M and Missouri. However, the team faced challenges that included two significant five-match losing streaks. The upcoming season will see the departure of several key players, including Karli Schmidt, Rebecca Walk, Amina Shackelford, Kailin Newsome, and Ceci Harness, as a result of the expiration of their eligibility.
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will retain some core talent, with returning players including Arissa Smith, McKenna Yates, and Mele Corral-Blagojevich. The integration of Bouril into the coaching staff is viewed as a strategic move as the team prepares for the next season.
Head coach Julie Darty Dennis has expressed excitement regarding Bouril’s addition to the staff, highlighting his passion for volleyball and the experience he brings from the competitive Big Ten Conference. This enthusiasm indicates a positive outlook for the team as it gears up for future competitions.
With the changes in coaching and player roster, Mississippi State volleyball aims to rebuild and strengthen its program following a challenging season. The upcoming months will be crucial as Bouril and the coaching staff work to develop strategies that will enhance the team’s performance on the court and foster growth among returning team members.
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Additional Resources
- C Dispatch: Mississippi State Volleyball Hires Michael Bouril as Assistant Coach
- Hail State: Bulldogs Earn 2025 AVCA Team Academic and Honor Roll Awards
- Ole Miss Sports: Volleyball Earns 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award
- Google Search: Mississippi State Volleyball
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
