On a Sunday night in October, Hugh McCutcheon sent shock waves around the college volleyball world.
At age 53, at the height of his powers as Gophers coach — and having reached three Final Fours since 2015 while leading another stellar roster of talent — he said he was going to
resign at the end of the season.
Two months later, sitting in his new office at the end of the labyrinthine hallways of the Bierman Building, McCutcheon looked like a man at peace but in transition. Unpacked boxes were stacked against the wall and two swivel chairs sat in the middle of the room.
The volleyball season had just ended — his final match a
Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State — and he was starting in his new role as
assistant athletic director/sport development coach.
His departure created fissures for the Gophers volleyball program; some of his former coaches and players have departed. But McCutcheon said that while his resignation felt abrupt, it was a culmination for him.
Not that it made the decision easy
www.startribune.com
