Dover, Del. (Oct. 9, 2020) --- Atkinson is on his second season as head coach of the DSU volleyball team. The Hornets made huge strides in his first season with the program in 2019, posting a 10-win improvement from the previous year.
Delaware State's 12 wins in 2019 (12-18) were the most by the team since posting an 18-12 mark in 2010. The Hornets had just 12 wins combined in the six seasons prior to his arrival.
The Hornets' seven MEAC wins last season were also the most by the team since tallying eight (8-2) in 2010. DSU also had a three-game win streak this past season, its longest in nine years.  
Atkinson also received national recognition for the Hornets' work in the classroom during his first year at DSU. The American Volleyball Coaches Association honored the Hornets as a recipient of the 2020 United States Marine/AVCA Team Academic Award.
Atkinson's 12-year career as a college head coach is highlighted by a 229-134 overall record (.631 win percentage), multiple conference championships, five Coach-of-the-Year awards and six 20-win seasons. 
Prior to joining the Hornets, Atkinson was head women's volleyball coach at Winthrop (S.C.) University from 2013 to 2018. His 98 wins at Winthrop are third-most in the 32-year history of the program.