MARSHALL, Minn. – Terry Culhane, who has spent the past 18 seasons as the head coach of the Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball program, announced on Monday he will be retiring as head coach and as assistant professor in the SMSU Education Department at the end of the 2021 fall semester.
 
"I would like to thank everyone in Mustang Athletics as I have truly enjoyed all of my time here at SMSU," Culhane said. "It has been an honor to get to coach and teach all of our student-athletes past and present."
 
Culhane, the program's all-time leader in victories, has racked up a career record of 429-123, including 256-66 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches, as SMSU heads into its final regular season matches this weekend. Culhane began the 2021 season as the 14th winningest coach in Division II history in winning percentage, while his 429 victories rank among the Top 25 for active Division II head coaches.
 
"I know I speak for the entire Mustang family in wishing Terry Culhane the best in his retirement," said SMSU President Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya. "His record speaks for itself, and he's elevated our volleyball program to national prominence. His student-athletes are leaders on the court and in the classroom, and he has represented SMSU at the highest level. We are grateful for all he's done for SMSU athletics."
 
Under the direction of Culhane, SMSU has made 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including 11 NCAA region semifinal appearances, three NCAA region championship appearances and one NCAA national runner-up finish (2014).
 
SMSU has won at least 18 matches every season under Culhane, including winning 25 or more in 13 of 16 seasons (2020 season was canceled). The Mustangs have won two NSIC regular season titles and have captured two NSIC Tournament championships during his tenure. SMSU has also finished third or higher in the rugged NSIC regular season standings 13 times, including six second-place finishes. SMSU has been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 poll for all but one week since Sept. 5, 2006.
 
"In my 18 years as a head coach, I have had so many great memories and experiences with our volleyball players that I will never forget and will cherish forever," Culhane said. "I look forward to continuing to support Mustang Athletics and our volleyball program."
 
Culhane, a four-time NSIC Coach of the Year honoree, has coached 27 AVCA All-Americans, 24 AVCA first team All-Region honorees, five AVCA Region Freshmen of the Year, six NSIC Freshman/Newcomers of the Year, five NSIC Players of the Year, 43 All-NSIC first team honorees, four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one AVCA Freshman of the Year.
 
Outside hitter Taylor Reiss was a two-time AVCA National Player of the Year (2017 & 2018) award winner and was recognized following the 2018-19 academic year as the NCAA Division II Honda Female Athlete of the Year.
 
"On behalf of Mustang Athletics, I would like to thank Terry for his many years of dedication to our Athletic Department, the Mustang volleyball program, coaching staff, and student-athletes," said SMSU Interim Director of Athletics Bruce Saugstad. "Terry has made an impact on and off the court within the lives of our coaches and student-athletes. Our teams have been consistently ranked nationally under his leadership creating a great environment for our student-athletes to compete in a sport they love."
 
"Additionally, our former and current volleyball student-athletes perform exceptionally well in the classroom providing them the education they need to start their careers after SMSU," Saugstad said. "Terry will retire from SMSU as our winningest coach in school history. Thanks for the many exciting moments you have provided our fans."
 
Culhane, a 1978 graduate of SMSU, where he played both basketball and baseball for the Mustangs, returned to his alma mater on Jan. 22, 2004, when he was named the fourth head coach in the program's history.
 
Culhane had unparalleled success coaching high school volleyball and girls' basketball for more than 20 seasons prior to his arrival at SMSU. A five-time Minnesota State Volleyball Coach of the Year honoree, Culhane finished a record of 519-112 in 22 seasons as a high school volleyball head coach. His teams appeared in 15 state tournaments with six state championships.