Gamecock AD Donati Makes First Coaching Hire with Rumely Noble as New Volleyball Coach

COLUMBIA — Sarah Rumely Noble has been named South Carolina’s new volleyball coach, nearly a month after Tom Mendoza departed to become the head coach at Marquette. Rumely Noble joins the Gamecocks after spending the past three seasons at Appalachian State.

As part of her new role, Rumely Noble has signed a five-year contract with South Carolina, which will pay her $260,000 annually for the first two years. Her salary will increase to $275,000 in years 3-4, and $285,000 in year 5. Additionally, USC paid $95,000 to Appalachian State as part of her buyout agreement.

This is the first major hire for Jeremiah Donati, the new athletic director at South Carolina, who has been actively involved in supporting the school’s athletic programs since taking over. He was seen regularly during the Gamecocks’ women’s basketball team’s postseason run, attending the SEC Tournament and following the team through their games in Columbia and Birmingham, Ala. during their first four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Rumely Noble led the Mountaineers to an impressive 18-10 record and a Sun Belt East Division title in 2024. Her team also made an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament (NIVT). This was her second 18-win season in three years.

A University of Kentucky alum, Rumely Noble was a standout player in college, earning four-time all-conference setter honors and receiving both SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Player of the Year accolades during her playing career. She also spent five years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at LSU before moving on to Appalachian State. Additionally, Rumely Noble has coaching experience at Arkansas, Wake Forest, and North Texas.

Tom Mendoza was widely regarded as one of the best coaching hires made during Ray Tanner’s 12-year tenure as athletic director. Under Mendoza, the Gamecocks made four NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons, including his first season, which ended a 16-year postseason drought for the team.

Ray Tanner was also responsible for hiring football coach Shane Beamer, who has already surpassed previous records by securing more wins in his first four years than any of his predecessors. Two of Tanner’s more recent hires, equestrian coach Carol Gwin and softball coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, have both found success early in their tenures, with Gwin leading the team to an SEC championship last week and Woodard’s softball squad currently ranked seventh in the nation.