A coach who enjoyed success at both Mississippi State and Central Arkansas, McFatrich came to CSU ahead of the 2019 season with a 137-92 career record and was named the 2013 Southland Coach of the Year at Central Arkansas.
In his first two seasons at the helm, McFatrich has collected 21 wins while setting the program's single season Big South wins and placing an athlete on the All-Conference First Team for the first time since the 2009-10 seasons.
Year one in Charleston saw McFatrich and the VolleyBucs go 14-15 overall with a 6-8 mark in Big South play and making an appearance in the Big South quarterfinals thanks to a winner-take-all five-set thriller at Radford in their season finale. Brooke Monssen made the All-Big South First Team headlining four postseason accolades including two All-Freshmen (Emilee Karlese and Paige Reagor) and Skylar Blackmon earning All-Academic honors.
The second season saw the Bucs go 9-5 overall, all matches coming in Big South play due to the COVID-19 pandemic shifting the season to the 2021 spring. The Bucs' 9 wins set a new program record for single season while Reagor was named to the All-Conference First Team, Dayana Chara and Peyton Thompson earned All-Conference Second Team and Indigo Young was named an All-Freshman.
In his tenure with the Sugar Bears, McFatrich led Central Arkansas to two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013 then led Mississippi State to their first winning season in 2015 in almost a full decade.
“I am so blessed to be named Head Volleyball Coach at Charleston Southern University,” McFatrich said. “I want to thank Jeff Barber for giving me the incredible opportunity to lead this program. In our meetings, it became very clear that he has a vision for all Buccaneer sports and the entire athletic department. CSU is gaining so much momentum under the leadership of President Dr. Dondi Costin and Jeff Barber, and with God’s help I look forward to bringing that same energy to the volleyball program.”
McFatrich added, “I also want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the chance to share my passion and excitement for volleyball with CSU student-athletes. I firmly believe He directed my path to Charleston Southern, and I look forward to sharing His love with our players.”
McFatrich broke into the Division I coaching ranks as an assistant at Central Arkansas in 2007 before being elevated to head coach before the 2011 season. In his four seasons at the helm, the Sugar Bears were 96-36 and racked-up plenty of Southland awards highlighted by four regular season championships, five Players of the Year, five Setters of the Year, three Freshmen of the Year and two Liberos of the Year. In total, 22 athletes were named All-Southland performers under his tutelage with 19 first teamers and seven athletes collecting 20 Player of the Week honors.
McFatrich then was named the Mississippi State head coach before the 2015 season and led them to 17 wins his first year on campus – the first winning campaign in Starkville since the 2006 season and the best mark for a first-year head coach in program history. Alex Warren took home an SEC Player of the Week during his first season with the Bulldogs and five student-athletes were named Academic All-SEC performers across his three seasons. Payton Harris went on to set the Mississippi State record for career digs during his tenure with 1,864 to her credit during the 2017 season.
McFatrich has also coached an AVCA All-American, ESPN Academic All-American and three CoSIDA Academic All-District performers in his career.
“Finally, I want to thank my wife Sonya and our children Luke, Elle, and Sami as well as my parents Don and Barbara McFatrich for their love and support,” McFatrich said. “We’re ‘all in’ and excited to become part of the Charleston Southern family and the surrounding community.”
A native of Woodbridge, Va., McFatrich graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s of science in 1986 and Master’s in exercise science in 1988. He and his wife Sonya have three children, Luke, Elle and Sami.
What They’re Saying About David
“Charleston Southern and coach David McFatrich will make a great team. I am excited for David to be at an institution where he can lead by his faith and help grow student-athletes on and off the court. His fast-pace style of play will be exciting for Buccaneers players and fans for years to come.” – Eastern Michigan University Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee.
“I think Charleston Southern made a terrific hire as David brings great knowledge, passion and experience in building and maintaining a program at a high level. I expect great things are to come at Charleston Southern under David’s leadership.” – Penn State University head volleyball coach Russ Rose.
David McFatrich Collegiate Coaching Career
Central Arkansas Head Coach
2011: 17-15 – Southland Conference Tournament semifinals
2012: 30-5 – Southland Regular Season & Tournament Champions; NCAA First Round
2013: 29-4 – Southland Regular Season & Tournament Champions; NCAA First Round
2014: 20-12 – Southland Conference Tournament runner-up
Mississippi State Head Coach
2015: 17-15 – Winningest first-year head coach; first winning season since 2006
2016: 14-18 – Set MSU record for home wins in a season
2017: 10-23 – Coached Payton Harris to MSU record 1,864 career digs
Charleston Southern Head Coach
2019: 14-15 – Program's first All-Conference First Team honor since 2016; Most wins by first year head coach since 1994
2020-21: 7-5 – Helped Bucs set new Conference wins record
Total
Eight Seasons: 158-112
Two NCAA appearances
Eight All-Big South Honors (Two First Team members; Three All-Freshmen members)
Five Big South Players of the Week (Four athletes)
Two Southland Conference tournament championships
Four Southland regular season championships
22 All-Southland Honors (19 First Team members)
20 Southland Player of the Week accolades (7 athletes)
Faith, Family, CSU with David McFatrich
