Maryland volleyball hires Adam Hughes as head coach

Maryland volleyball is staying in-house for its next head coach. Adam Hughes, who served as the Terps’ associate head coach under Steve Aird, was announced as Aird’s replacement on Tuesday.

Hughes joined Aird in College Park in 2014, and was promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach in 2017. During Maryland’s first four years in the Big Ten, the Terps saw unprecedented success on the recruiting trail, bringing in a top-20 class in 2016 and a top-10 haul in 2017. Maryland went 18-14 this fall and was the first team out of the NCAA Tournament.

Aird’s departure for Indiana sent shockwaves through the program. While no transfers have officially been announced since he left, Gia Milana has been rumored to be headed to Baylor, while Samantha Drechsel’s Twitter bio says she plays for Washington. Those were Aird’s two most high-profile recruits, each top-30 prospects in their respective classes. Rising senior Kelsey Wicinski was already on the move to Florida State, as well. Hiring Hughes won’t keep the core together, but it will provide continuity to a program that needs it.

Hughes will retain assistant coach Kristin Carpenter and director of operations Kyle Thompson on his staff; Aird had previously stated his intentions to bring as much of his Maryland assistants with him as possible. As the Terps try to continue their ascent without Aird, they’re intent on keeping as much of the foundation he built as possible.

“Adam has helped change the culture and elevated our program to new heights over the past four seasons,” athletic director Damon Evans said in the team’s release. “He is bright, energetic and a rising star in the sport of volleyball. Adam is an excellent in-game tactician and his strong reputation as a national recruiter will help continue to guide us in the ultracompetitive Big Ten.”