Goood news: top star player appointed as Volleyball Staff Assistant Coach
Jason Watson revealed on Thursday that Jordan Childs has been hired assistant coach for the 2024 Volley Hogs. This means that the team will have a fresh face on the bench.
After spending a year at Emory University, several seasons as a club player, and some time as a prep coach, Childs moves to Arkansas.
“We are really happy to have Jordan join our program. “She is incredibly ready for this chance,” head coach Jason Watson remarked. “A diligent student with a sharp mind, she will improve our current workforce. I’m excited to collaborate with her to grow our team.
In 2023, Childs served as Emory’s assistant coach, overseeing both the team’s operations and coaching departments. With a 26-3 record—the most victories since 2019—and a program-high 14-0 start, the squad had an incredible season. With an immaculate 7-0 record, Emory won the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship and placed second in the UAA conference tournament. There, the Eagles advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament. In the AVCA poll, Emory was in the top five for five weeks, in the top 10 for ten of those weeks, and as high as number four.
In addition to eight UAA Athlete of the Week awards, four AVCA Region 6 First Team honors, four All-UAA First Team honors, and two Mount Berry Regional All-Tournament Team picks, four Emory athletes were named to the All-America team. Lead by Region 6 Coach of the Year Brianna Jones, Childs also assisted libero Deborah Hong in winning Player of the Year accolades in the region.
Childs provides The Hill with a variety of club coaching knowledge in addition to her stint at Emory. Since 2021, she has assisted the 16-, 17-, and 18-level volleyball teams at A5 Volleyball Club in Roswell, Georgia. In May 2023, she was recognized as the League One Volleyball Coach of the Month. She has helped out at several camps, clinics, and workshops with A5.
As a master coach, Childs also worked with the North Georgia Volleyball and Lanier Volleyball Clubs. She was an expert in skill development and led the preparation of camps, created practice programs, and gave private lessons.
Childs taught and served as the head varsity volleyball coach at North Oconee High School from 2021 to 2023 while pursuing her master’s degree. Under his leadership, the Titans won 13 postseason trophies, set 21 school records, and had 11 players selected to the All-Area team. Childs guided her team to the Georgia state playoffs two seasons in a row and was twice named an honorable mention for Oconee County Head Coach.
From 2019 to 2021, Childs also served as a teacher and coach at Chestatee High School, where she supervised the junior varsity soccer and varsity volleyball teams.
“I appreciate the chance to join the Arkansas volleyball coaching staff, Jason and Kevin Trainor. Childs stated, “The University of Arkansas provides community and support that is simply unrivaled.” “I’m thrilled to join the Hog Family, work with elite staff members, and develop ties with athletes. I am eager to read The Hill’s upcoming chapter. Hooray for Pig!
From 2016 to 2019, Childs played as an outside hitter for Truett-McConnell University, starting six rotations. She led the team in stats for more than 30 games, was a four-time NAIA All-Academic Team selection, a Leadership Scholar, and a three-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
Childs obtained her master’s degree in kinesiology and coaching education from Georgia Southern in 2023 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Truett-McConnell in 2019.
