Having been the assistant coach at Penn State University for the past two seasons, Stevie Mussie has learned from some of the best including Russ Rose and Salima Rockwell. She helped coach the Nittany Lions to a National Championship title in 2014, experiencing the greatest success in college volleyball. Before Penn State, she served as the assistant coach at the University of Virginia, North Carolina State University, and University of Colorado. Mussie is returning to the Pac-12 Conference after graduating from University of Washington. As a player there, she won a National Championship in 2005. When the offer came up to take over the women's volleyball program as head coach at Arizona State University, Mussie was more than prepared to take on the role. I asked her some questions to gain insight on what this transition has been like for her. 

Can you explain the decision making process that brought you to Arizona State University?

At the time the position came available, I was not looking to leave Penn State. This opportunity was unique because of the fact that my parents actually live in Arizona now that they are retired. Throughout the interview process, it became very obvious to me that ASU was a special place. This was not just the volleyball team, it was the president, the athletic director, the senior administration, the academic coaches, and every single person associated with the Sun Devils! For me, I wanted my first head coaching job to be the right job with people who were going to be committed to this volleyball program being the best that it can be!

What are you most excited about with the new position?

I must honestly say the thing that gets me going each and every day is this group of athletes. I have never seen a group so committed to getting better and doing whatever it takes to be the best, both on and off the court.

What do you expect to be the biggest challenge for you as a head coach?

At this time I think the biggest challenge as a head coach is making sure that I don’t change who I am. I want to stay true to the person who has gotten me to where I am. I obviously wear a lot more hats as a head coach but I don’t want that to ever change who I am and why I do what I do.

Can you talk about your relationship with Russ Rose at Penn State and how coaching with him the past two years has prepared you to be a head coach?

Well first and foremost, the guy is AWESOME! I have to tell you the two years I spent there seemed like 10, and I say that in the best way possible because of the amount I was able to learn from him in such a short time. He is honest with everyone and each and every person knows where he stands on every matter. You never have to wonder what he thinks about something or someone. Honestly there was so much that I couldn’t begin to list it all. But I will tell you that the #1 thing I learned from Coach is that you take care of your player, always, and FOREVER.

What is your coaching philosophy going to be at ASU and has this changed at all from your philosophy as an assistant coach?

We want to mentor and grow our young ladies to be THEIR best both on and off the court. And that will mean different things for different players but I want the mentorship to be a special relationship for each and every one of our athletes.

How does it feel having been a player in the Pac-12 at University of Washington and now returning as a head coach in the same elite conference?

It’s unreal. Back when I played, it was the Pac-10 (seems like forever ago)! This conference is arguably one of the best (some folks say THE best) volleyball conference in the country and the fact that I have the opportunity for it to be my first head coaching job is not lost on me. It is a big deal and I want to make ASU proud of the product we put out on the floor each and every night. As a player, I know it’s the best feeling when you can go home at night knowing you gave your best!

Can you describe the type of player you’ll be recruiting for ASU’s program?

I want kids who know how to play. I don’t want robots. For me and my staff, we want personality and a willingness and commitment to do whatever it takes to be great!

How’s life in Tempe, Arizona different from State College, Pennsylvania so far?

Well I have thrown away the majority of my heavy coats and I am 5 minutes from my favorite restaurant in Phoenix (Hillstone)!! :) But honestly all jokes aside the difference between Tempe and State College is my family is here and they get to go on this great ride with me. Other than that, I do the same stuff here as I did at Penn State. I'm working to find ways to make the team better and recruit good kids (notice I stayed focused on work as that is really the only life that matters right now).