JACKSON, Tenn. - Union University volleyball head coach Kristen Blackburn has named Nate Shadoan as her assistant coach. Shadoan fills the role left open when Blackburn was named head coach of the volleyball program earlier this year. 

Blackburn said, "I am excited to welcome Nate as our assistant coach at Union! Nate fits exactly what our program is all about. He has vast volleyball knowledge and a huge passion to help our athletes succeed. He also understands the importance of building a relationship with the team off the court. I believe Nate will help our girls be great on the court but most importantly he will help add to the culture we want to build."

Shadoan comes to Union after spending the 2022 season at Lee University, a fellow Gulf South Conference program. Prior to his season at Lee, Shadoan spent four years at Bryan College as the volleyball assistant coach and junior varsity head coach from 2018-21. While at Bryan, Shadoan was named the AAC Assistant Coach of the Year while helping the program to the AAC Regular Season and Tournament Titles. Bryan also won the 2020 AAC Regular Season Title. 

Shadoan said, "I am so excited to join the volleyball coaching staff here at Union in such a transitional season now being under Coach Blackburn's leadership. I look forward to bringing my playing experience from the men's game in offense and blocking systems as well as the strategies I have been able to develop at Bryan and Lee working closely with their attackers and setters. There are some exciting times ahead for Union University women's volleyball and I am blessed to get to be a part of it!"

In addition to his five years of assistant coaching experience, Shadoan coached the K2 Volleyball Club Elite in Louisville, Tennessee from 2020-23. 

Shadoan is a 2018 graduate of Bryan College with an elementary education degree. He also has an MBA in Sports Management. While at Bryan, Shadoan played for the men's volleyball team from 2013-17 and was named co-captain in 2016 and 2017. He was also the student assistant coach for his high school volleyball team that won the KCAA Varsity State Title in 2012. 

Shadoan is a native of Somerset, Kentucky, and is the son of Marty and Becky Shadoan. 

-UNION-