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Derek Horner Hired As Head Coach For Black Bears Women’s Volleyball

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the hiring of Derek Horner as the new head coach of the women’s volleyball program.

Horner will take over for Penn Highlands alumna Kylee Doyle, who coached the Black Bears for two seasons from 2021-23.

“I was thrilled when I found out I was being hired for the position,” Horner stated. “I’m willing to put the time in to make this program the best that it can be. I love the idea of recruiting and going out to meet prospective players. I’m very excited to get started.”

Horner has dedicated over three decades to volleyball, beginning his journey at the age of 8. He played on the Conemaugh Valley High School volleyball team and managed an adult volleyball league for 14 years, a league his father initiated at the former Conemaugh Valley Elementary School.

Horner also spent the past three years coaching Conemaugh Valley’s girls junior high volleyball team, where the squad finished above. 500 in all three seasons, including a 19-3 mark last fall.

“My plan is to instill a lot of values I have learned over the years into the players here,” Horner stated. “I want us to have a winning season to start, then try to build on it each year and see how far we can take it. Hopefully, we can bring some championships to Penn Highlands.”

Born and raised in Johnstown, Horner has worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport for the past 22 years. He resides in the area with his wife, Brianna, and their children Molly and Henry.

Derek Horner, Women’s Volleyball Head Coach