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NEW PORT RICHEY - Former Pasco-Hernando Community College volleyball coach Sam Cibrone did not handpick his replacement.
But a good word on Kim Whitney's behalf sure helped.
"Sure he did," PHCC athletic director Bobby Bowman said of Cibrone's strong reference. "He knew her."
Whitney and Cibrone coached together with the Sandspurs, a club program based in Tampa, and have been teammates in numerous beach volleyball tournaments. In July, they won a tourney in Daytona Beach.
"Did I pick a good one or what?" said Cibrone, who resigned in May to coach the Saint Leo volleyball team. "She's a perfect fit. Look at her credentials."
Whitney, 27, has played professionally in Spain and for the Grand Rapids Force of the U.S. Professional Volleyball League. She starred at Kansas State and Clearwater Central Catholic (Class of 1996).
"I think she's a rising star," PHCC athletic director Bobby Bowman said. "She has all the background and she's played at the highest level. She just needs to get experience. She's an outstanding role model."
Whitney does not view her lack of experience as a deterrent.
Although she has not coached at the high school or college levels, she coached the Sandspurs 15-and-under team to an Amateur Athletic Union tournament top-10 finish in June.
"I just feel like I have a great understanding of the game," Whitney said. "I knew eventually I wanted to get into coaching."
"Her technical training is going to be awesome," Cibrone said. "Look at her skills. She's been trained by the best."
A 1999 Kansas State graduate with a degree in business management, Whitney led the Wildcats to their first NCAA Tournament in 1997 as well as appearances in the 1998 and 1999 tourneys. A four-year starter at Kansas State, Whitney then played on the U.S. national team from 2000-2002.
PITCHING COACH: Former PHCC baseball player Mike Bell has been named pitching coach at Tennessee.
A 1993 PHCC graduate, Bell was a first baseman and pitched. He played on the school's inaugural team in 1992 and was a two-time All-Suncoast Conference player.
He hit a then school-record .372 as a sophomore before playing two seasons at Florida State. Bell, who spent six pro seasons in the Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles organizations, has also coached at Brandon and Florida Southern.