Graceland Names Hunter Parrish Head Men's Volleyball Coach

LAMONI, Iowa – Graceland University Director of Athletics Brady McKillip has announced the hiring of Hunter Parrish as the next head coach of the Yellowjacket Men's Volleyball program.

Parrish brings a diverse coaching background spanning the collegiate, club, high school, camp, and private training levels. Most recently, he served as an Assistant Volleyball Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach at Polk State College, where he was involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, player development, scouting, match preparation, academic oversight, and team operations. During his time at Polk State, the program doubled its match and set wins while earning recognition as the institution's 2026 Team of the Year.

In addition to his collegiate experience, Parrish has coached at IMG Academy, Winter Park Volleyball Club, Top Select Volleyball Academy, Lyman High School, and Seminole High School, developing athletes across a variety of competitive levels. His coaching philosophy emphasizes technical development, accountability, leadership, and building strong relationships with student-athletes.

"Hunter distinguished himself throughout the search process with his passion for student-athlete development, his vision for building a championship culture, and his commitment to excellence," McKillip said. "He is a relationship-builder, a teacher of the game, and someone who understands how to develop young people both on and off the court. We are excited about the future of our men's volleyball program under his leadership."

Parrish's background also includes extensive experience in strength and conditioning, where he has designed and implemented performance programs focused on athletic development, injury prevention, and long-term success. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida and has worked with athletes ranging from youth and club volleyball to the collegiate level.

"What stood out most about Hunter was his ability to combine high expectations with genuine care for his student-athletes," McKillip said. "He understands that successful programs are built through trust, consistency, and daily commitment. His energy, work ethic, and passion for the sport make him an outstanding fit for Graceland University and our athletics department."

Parrish expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the program and become part of the Graceland community.

"I'm incredibly honored and grateful to serve as the new Men's Volleyball Head Coach at Graceland University," Parrish said. "I want to sincerely thank Athletic Director Brady McKillip for entrusting me to lead this program. I'm also very thankful for Stew McDole, both in his role as Women's Head Coach and Associate Athletic Director, for his support and providing the opportunity to join a department filled with great people who are committed to student-athlete success. I also want to thank Dr. Joel Shrock for his leadership and vision for the University as a whole."

"I'm excited to get to work with the current coaching staff and build strong relationships with our student-athletes, campus community, alumni, and supporters of Graceland Men's Volleyball," Parrish continued. "This is a program with great potential, and I look forward to building a culture centered on hard work, accountability, growth, and pride in representing Graceland University. Great things are ahead, and I can't wait to get started."

Parrish will begin his duties immediately as he prepares for the upcoming season and works to continue the growth and success of the Yellowjacket Men's Volleyball program.

"We are thrilled to welcome Hunter to the Graceland community," McKillip said. "I believe our student-athletes will thrive under his leadership, and I look forward to watching him build something special here at Graceland."