Covenant College names Stephanie Warton as new volleyball coach
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (BVM) — Covenant College has named its new head coach, following the announcement that nine-year head coach Joanna Ehman was stepping down to spend more time with her family.
Covenant Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Sceggel announced Stephanie Wharton as Ehman’s replacement, in a news conference earlier this week.
“After conducting a national search, it was clear that she was the right person for this position. Steph prioritizes discipleship in coaching, integrates her faith extremely well, and is a great teacher of the game,” Sceggel said, when asked about the hire.
While this will be her first stint as the head coach at Covenant, Wharton is certainly not new to being a Scot. She’s spent the last 12 years at the school, working as an assistant coach under Heather Taylor, and then under Ehman. The assistant job at Covenant was actually her second job in the coaching field, as prior to being named an assistant, she spent two years at Bryan (2006-2007).
“I consider the opportunity to coach Covenant volleyball an honor and a joy,” Wharton said. “Coach Taylor established the foundation of a Christ-centered, successful volleyball program, and Coach Ehman built upon that, creating a culture of excellence fueled by God’s love and leading the program to new heights in all areas. I treasure the many years we have coached together, and I am so thankful for all Coach Ehman has done for this program.
It is my hope that each Covenant volleyball player would grow and develop to maximize her skills and gifts athletically, academically, and relationally to bring glory to our Creator.”
What also may be of note is that, prior to her coaching career, Wharton, a married mother of four sons, earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Covenant, graduating in 2006. While in Lookout Mountain, she decided that dominating in the classroom wasn’t enough, as she spent four years dominating for the Scots on the court, as well. She was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2005, to go along with earning AAC All-Academic honors, as well as being a three-time team captain, spanning her sophomore through senior seasons.
Additionally, she currently sits fifth in program history in matches played at 129, and sits fourth in sets played at 456. But these are just her minor accomplishments while a Scot. She still sits as the program leader in career digs at 1,919, and sits just behind, at second, in digs per set at 4.21.
Taking over a program that finished last year at 21-9, including an appearance in the USA South Tournament Semifinals, Wharton is set to take over a program primed to make national attention in the years to come.
“As a Covenant volleyball alum with 12 years coaching as an assistant, I bleed Scots blue and am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this program in that same tradition,” Wharton said.
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