Bio

Former TVCC Chukar volleyball standout Erin (Brown) Mellinger continues as the head coach of the Chukar Volleyball program.

Mellinger’s own collegiate playing career began in the junior college ranks with Treasure Valley Community College, where she helped the school reach the Scenic West Athletic Conference tournament for the first time in 19 years. A defensive specialist, she then transferred to Lewis-Clark State College for one season before concluding her career at Chicago State University.

Mellinger’s coaching career began in Kansas as the head coach for Independence Community College where she compiled a 62-21 record over two years. While at Independence, she coached two All-Americans and was named NJCAA District K coach of the year.

Coach Mellinger then spent the next two years (2005 and 2006) as the head coach at Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

Coach Mellinger then spent the next five seasons as an assistant coach at the College of Southern Idaho as she helped the Golden Eagles to a 148-48 overall record including a National Championship in 2009, two Region 18 Championships and three National championship appearances.

In 2012, Mellinger took over the head coaching job at Blinn College, Texas, as she led the Buccaneers to a 25-7 record and the quarterfinals of the Region XIV tournament, and had a student athlete named an NJCAA All-American.

In 2013, Mellinger led the Buccaneers to the program’s third national championship, going 39-3. Mellinger coached the NJCAA Tournament MVP, and two NJCAA All-Tournament team players, three NJCAA All-Americans and two American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans. Mellinger was recognized as AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year.

In 2014 Mellinger led the Buccaneers to a 40-1 record and the first-ever back-to-back National Championships. Mellinger was named the AVCA Two-Year College Coach of the Year and the Southwest Region Coach of the Year.

In the three seasons at Blinn College Mellinger’s teams compiled a 106-11 record with 2 National Championships. Also, Blinn College Volleyball Team earned All-Academic recognition in each of Mellinger’s three seasons.

Mellinger has a master’s degree in physical education. She and her husband Gary have two daughters, Piper and Paige, and reside in New Plymouth, Idaho.