Talladega College Athletics has announced the appointment of Ahmon Catlin as the new Head Coach of the Tornadoes Men's Volleyball program.
For Catlin, the appointment represents more than a new position—it marks the continuation of a remarkable journey that has seen him serve the College in nearly every capacity imaginable. From student-athlete and student assistant to graduate assistant, volunteer coach, and now head coach, Catlin's path reflects an unwavering commitment to Talladega College and its student-athletes.
A native of Calera, Alabama, Catlin earned both his Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Talladega College. Throughout his time on campus, he has built a reputation as a dedicated leader, mentor, and servant committed to helping students succeed both academically and athletically.
Before beginning his coaching career, Catlin competed as a member of the Talladega College Track & Field program. His introduction to volleyball came in 2019 while serving as a student assistant with the Tornado women's volleyball team. What began as an opportunity to volunteer quickly developed into a passion for coaching and the sport itself.
That passion eventually led Catlin onto the court as a member of the inaugural Talladega College Men's Volleyball team during the 2023-24 season, where he competed as an outside hitter. Experiencing the challenges and excitement of building a first-year collegiate program gave him a unique perspective that continues to shape his leadership philosophy today.
Following his playing career, Catlin remained with the men's volleyball program as a Graduate Assistant before joining the women's volleyball program as a Volunteer Assistant Coach. During that time, he played an integral role in recruiting, scouting opponents, practice planning, player development, and the daily operations of both programs.
Away from athletics, Catlin serves as a Financial Aid Specialist and Federal Work-Study Coordinator at Talladega College, working closely with students as they navigate their educational journeys. His daily interactions with students have strengthened his belief that coaching extends far beyond wins and losses.
As he takes over the Tornadoes program, Catlin is committed to establishing a culture built on accountability, discipline, hard work, and meaningful relationships while preparing student-athletes to excel on the court, in the classroom, and throughout their lives.
"I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Talladega College Men's Volleyball program," said Catlin. "This institution has given me so much throughout my journey as a student, student-athlete, coach, and professional. My vision is to build championship culture founded on accountability, discipline, hard work, and genuine relationships. I want our student-athletes to become exceptional competitors while growing into leaders who represent Talladega College with excellence in everything they do. My goal is to leave this program better than I found it and help every student-athlete reach their full potential on and off the court."
Talladega College Director of Athletics Andre Payne expressed confidence in Catlin's ability to lead the program into its next chapter.
"Ahmon's journey is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and love for Talladega College," Payne said. "He understands our culture because he has lived it. His experience as a student-athlete, coach, and campus leader gives him a unique perspective, and we are excited to see him continue building a program that reflects the values and mission of our institution."
Catlin's appointment continues Talladega College's commitment to developing leaders from within while investing in the future of Tornado Athletics. With firsthand experience building the program from its inception and a passion for mentoring student-athletes, Catlin is poised to guide the Tornadoes into an exciting new era of men's volleyball.
For Catlin, coaching is about more than competition, it is about leaving a lasting impact and helping every student-athlete become the best version of themselves.
