The rumor mill of names has forcefully hit the Ball State University women's volleyball head coach opening, but lately most of those rumors point to just one name:
Legendary Burris Laboratory girl's volleyball coach Steve Shondell.
Shondell was rumored to meet with Ball State athletics director Tom Collins Tuesday morning to discuss the opening, but Collins said Tuesday afternoon that those reports were just that: rumors.
The Ball State women's volleyball coaching position became vacant March 3 when former coach Dave Boos resigned to become an assistant coach with the University of Florida. Boos was officially hired by Florida on Monday.
But according to Collins, the Ball State opening "hasn't even closed yet."
"We're a week, 10 days, from even starting a search," he said.
Shondell did not return multiple phone messages left on Tuesday requesting comment.
Shondell did tell The Ball State Daily News March 3 that the Ball State opening was "tempting," but said he had no intention to apply for the position.
He was the 2009 National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year and has won 13 consecutive Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 2A state titles with the Owls.
He has also been a highly successful club volleyball coach with the local club program, Munciana, primarily coaching the 12-and-under "Peppers" squad.
Shondell is the son of legendary former Ball State men's volleyball coach Don Shondell, and has played for the Ball State men's volleyball team in the 1970s and was named to the all-conference team twice. Steve Shondell has remained close to both the Ball State men's and women's volleyball programs in his lengthy career as a local coach.
Steve's brother, Dave, is the head coach at Purdue University, where their brother, John, is an assistant coach. John Shondell's name has also been discussed by some as a possible candidate for the Ball State job.
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