TOWSON, Md. – Towson University volleyball coach Don Metil has named Terry Hutchinson as associate head coach, effective February 28. Hutchinson, who replaces David Beck on Metil's staff, spent five seasons (2017-21) at Towson before landing a head coaching position at Georgia State the last two seasons.

"Once a Tiger, always a Tiger. I said that when I left two years ago," Hutchinson said. "I loved my experience at Georgia State and coached some great kids, but this position allows me to be closer to family for personal reasons."

Towson earned three straight Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) titles and berths into the NCAA Tournament during Hutchinson's first stint at Towson. The Tigers combined to go 61-9 those three seasons, including a 30-4 record in CAA play.

"It is paramount to the program. He was part of our early championships," said Metil, who recently completed his 11^th season as head coach. "Hutch might be our top recruit for the upcoming season. He is going to bring a level of accountability that we have been missing. I know the girls are excited to have him back. He is not just a really good coach, but he is a friend. "

"We have a great routine," Hutchinson said. "I know what Don is thinking and he knows what I am thinking. It is nice to know that my voice counts and my opinion matters."

Charged with developing the middle blockers while overseeing recruiting coordination, Hutchinson helped the Tigers become a force in the CAA with an efficient net presence.

During the fall 2021 campaign, Towson notched 304 total blocks, 15th most in the country. Hutchinson helped revamp the Tigers' efforts at the net as the 2018 squad finished with 284.5 blocks, then the third-most blocks in a single season in Towson history. He mentored three student-athletes, Olamide Sonuga (121), Silvia Grassini (116) and Olivia Finckel (108), over the 100-block mark.

"I firmly believe he is the best blocking coach I have ever had on my staff," added Metil. "He has a really good coach's eye. He can see so many things in a snapshot of a blocking move. He can direct footwork, their hand work and the size of their crossover step.  He also has a good head on his shoulders that if he feels like he is giving too much information, he will build on the progression to achieve success. That is his on the court presence. Off the court, he is jovial and fun. The kids love him."

Within his recruiting duties, Hutchinson helped bring in 2019 CAA Rookie of the Year Lydia Wiers, 2021 CAA Tournament MVP Irbe Lazda, 2023 CAA Player of the Year Nina Cajic and all-conference performers Victoria Barrett and Aayinde Smith.

"When we go to big venues, I often put Hutch on the court where the top kids are playing because he is a go-getter," Metil said. "He is willing to approach anybody and knows people who know people, so the pipeline he has helps open the door for us to have a discussion about Towson."

"I like to build relationships and let them know we will have their back during their time here at Towson," Hutchinson said. "I think that has set us apart with some of the recruits we got throughout the years." 

In addition to his head coaching experience at Georgia State the last two seasons, Hutchinson had collegiate assistant coaching stints at Georgia Southern (2016), Elizabethtown College (2014-15) and Franklin & Marshall College (2013). He began his coaching career in 2003 with the Norlanco Girls' Volleyball Club and spent time coaching the Yorktowne and Spooky Nook Volleyball Clubs in central Pennsylvania. He served as the varsity head coach at Manheim Township High School for four years.

Hutchinson started his collegiate career at Juniata College before transferring to East Stroudsburg University. He helped the Warriors make a pair of appearances in the EIVA Division I national semifinals. Hutchinson was nationally ranked for blocking in 1995 and 1996 and earned All-EIVA Division I honors in 1996.

In the summer of 1995, Hutchinson was selected to take part in the U.S. Olympic Festival, which was part of the U.S. National Team training program. During the Festival, he helped the East team win the gold medal.

He received his degree in corporate communications from Elizabethtown College.