2 Lions coaches resign

Vanguard University announced Thursday that head women’s volleyball coach Erikka Gulbranson, as well as head baseball coach Scott Mallernee, have resigned.

Gulbranson spent seven years as head coach, and leaves as the winningest coach in Vanguard volleyball history. She took over a three-win team in 2001, and led it to a winning record in just her third year.

“Erikka completely shaped the volleyball program into one that is not only competitive in the [Golden State Athletic Conference] but also in the NAIA,” said Vanguard Athletic Director Bob Wilson in a statement. “The essence of her work can be seen in the consistency she developed in our volleyball program. In her seven years she developed not only quality athletes and teams but outstanding people. We will definitely miss the standard of excellence she created as our volleyball coach.”

In 2004, the Gulbranson-led Lions broke the school record for wins with a 25-14 mark, also registering a winning 11-9 record in Golden State Athletic Conference play for the first time. That team advanced to the NAIA semifinals.

Last year, Vanguard finished with a 10-16 record, ending the season as the No. 16-ranked team in the NAIA. Gulbranson leaves the Lions with a career record of 102-111.

“Vanguard Athletics is one of the most premier college sports programs I have ever been a part of,” Gulbranson said in a statement. “The support staff of Bob Wilson, Diane Ortiz, Beth Renkoski, and Nolan Steputis are better than most Division I programs at the highest level. Because of the support from our athletic administration, it was easy to focus on building a great volleyball team. I will miss the support and the incredible people at Vanguard that helped to refocus my life in a better direction.”

Mallernee was head baseball coach for four years, leading the Lions to a 17-31 record this season. His best season was 2006, when he guided VU to a 22-22 record, and 14-18 in the GSAC.

Mallernee, who came to Vanguard after serving as an assistant at the University of Michigan, leaves with a 72-110 mark as the Lions head man.

“Scott is a principled and character-based person who has worked extremely hard to improve the Vanguard University baseball program and will be missed,” Wilson said in a statement. “He has asked to be relieved from his position so he might have an opportunity to pursue other interests.”

Vanguard has already begun the search to replace both the volleyball and baseball positions. Interested candidates can view the job description and application process online at www.vanguard.edu.

— From staff reports