2009 Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jim Routhier

Following 22 seasons at the helm of Concord High School (Elkhart, Ind.), Jim Routhier will begin his first season as the head coach of the Maple Leafs in 2009.

“I am extremely happy to have Jim as a Maple Leaf and to have him continue to build our volleyball program into a National caliber program,” said Demant. “The program has come a long way under the leadership of Coach Lehman and we believe Jim’s energy, commitment to excellence on and off the court, and ability to recruit and train top players will help us continue that improvement.”

“This is indeed an exciting day for GC volleyball,” Demant added. “I’m excited to see where we will be in the near future.”

As the head coach at Concord High School, Routhier compiled an incredible record of 472-179 while leading the Minutemen to four Northern Lakes Conference Championships, two section championships and one Indiana State Elite Eight appearance before retiring from the position two years ago.

Also a science teacher and assistant athletic trainer at Concord, Routhier received several phone calls from friends notifying him the position was open and that he should consider applying.

The Goshen College Athletic Department underwent a nation-wide search before finding the next head coach in their own backyard in the three-time Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) Coach of the Year. Routhier also was a recipient of the NLC Service Award for his work as a coach and in starting Concord’s Athletic Training Program.

Obviously no stranger to the local volleyball scene, Routhier also has experience with the college game. As a high school coach, Routhier has sent more than 50 of his former players on to play college ball at all levels, including the likes of Ohio State and Indiana. A former college player himself, Routhier played under volleyball icon Don Shondell at Ball State University.

Assistant Coach Jen Higley

A former high school player under Routhier, Jen Higley will begin her first season on the Maple Leafs sideline this fall.

A three-time all conference setter at Concord, Higley helped her Minuteman team to the state quarterfinals. She then went on to be a two-time all conference selection at MCC foe Taylor University and graduated in 2000 with a degree in elementary education.

While at Taylor, Higley posted the single-season record for assists with 2,037 in 2002 and was twice named to the all region team. She also earned NAIA All American Honorable Mention honors twice and finished her career ranked third on the program’s all-time assists list with 5,122.

Following her playing days at Taylor, Higley served one year as a student assistant for the Trojans.  She has coached a variety of high school and club programs including the Shank You Volleyball Club, Momentum, and Terra Houte High School.

Currently a fifth grade teacher with Concord Community Schools, Jen has been married to husband David for two years.  David is finishing up his teaching degree at Western Michigan and also coaches football.  The couple has one daughter, Lilly, who is one year old.