Rob Neilson is coming home.

The former BYU setter and national champion has been hired as the Cougars’ new head women’s volleyball coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Neilson replaces Heather Olmstead, who parted ways with BYU earlier this month.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rob Neilson back to BYU as our head women’s volleyball coach,” BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said in a statement.

“Rob has been a part of a rich history at BYU, both as a player and coach on the men’s side, highlighted by winning a national championship. He is a proven winner, as evidenced by his experience as a head coach at Utah State and as an assistant coach for the USA National Team. We are excited to have Rob lead our BYU women’s volleyball program and exceptional student-athletes into the future.”

Neilson spent the past six seasons as Utah State’s head coach, compiling a 112-59 record with the Aggies and winning five combined Mountain West regular season and tournament championships.

In 2025, Neilson led Utah State to a 24-8 mark — including 18-0 in conference play — to capture the Mountain West tournament championship and a first round NCAA tournament upset over No. 7-seed Tennessee. He was subsequently named Mountain West Coach of the Year, his third such honor from the league.

During his playing career, Neilson starred for BYU from 2003-06 and was part of the Cougars’ 2004 national championship team, going 91-31 as a whole across four seasons. In the rally-scoring era, he ranks fifth on the BYU program leaderboard with 2,790 assists.

Nielson also spent 10 seasons on the men’s volleyball staff at BYU, followed by time with the U.S. Men’s National Team as an assistant coach before landing in Logan.

But now, he’ll be tasked with continuing BYU’s strong program tradition as the seventh head coach in school history.

“Coaching at BYU is a dream come true,” Neilson said. “This is a distinguished university, with storied volleyball programs, built by amazing student-athletes, incredible coaches and a community that’s all in.

“I’m honored to continue that legacy with our women’s team. Thank you to the board of trustees, President (Shane) Reese, Brian Santiago, Chad Lewis and the search committee. I’m excited to get to work preparing for great things as we hurl our challenge to all foes. Rise and shout. Let’s go.”

Baton Rouge, La. – LSU Beach Volleyball Head Coach Russell Brock has announced the Tigers’ tournament schedule for the upcoming season, set to begin in February.

This will mark the 13th season of LSU Beach Volleyball. Throughout the first 12 seasons, LSU has solidified itself as one of the premier beach programs in the nation. The Sandy Tigs have made it to eight consecutive NCAA Championship Tournaments and reached the No. 1 ranking during the shortened 2020 season.

LSU will begin its season on the road at Tulane in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 20-21, before hosting the Tiger Beach Challenge the following weekend, February 27-28. The Sandy Tigs will head back on the road for the next two weekends to the MPSF Coast to Coast Classic, March 6-7, in Los Angeles, California, and then to Manhattan Beach, California, for the East Meets West tournament, March 13-14. The Sandy Tigs are back at home, March 20-21, for the Death Volley Invitational. The Tigers finish out March on the road at the Texas Invitational, March 27-28, in Austin, Texas, before coming back home for the Battle on the Bayou, April 10-11, at the LSU Beach Volleyball Stadium. The Sandy Tigs will finish off the regular season at the Gulf Front Invitational, April 17-18, in Tampa, Florida.

LSU’s opponents at each tournament throughout the season will be announced on a later date.

The MPSF Conference Tournament will be from April 22-24 and will be played in Huntington Beach, California. The NCAA Championships will be in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on the first weekend of May. The event will continue the format of a 16-team, single-elimination tournament.

Lindsey Wilson University seeks an assistant coach for its men’s and women’s swimming and aquatics programs. Lindsey Wilson, a member of the Mid-South Conference and the NAIA, sponsors twenty-nine sports, 37 teams, and has 800+ student-athletes participating in the various programs.

Coaching responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting the head coach with recruitment of student-athletes in accordance with University policy, meet coaching, conduct practices, organize team travel, monitor student-athletes’ academic and social progress, equipment maintenance and purchases, fund-raising and administrative duties required to develop a competitive swimming program. Additionally, the candidate will assist in the daily operations of the Aquatics Center, including programming, safety monitoring, scheduling, and coaching of the University’s age-group teams. Required certifications include: First Aid/CPR/AED Certifications and lifeguard certification (or the ability to obtain LG by June 1, 2026). Lifeguard instructor certification is a plus.

Review of applications will begin immediately. This is a 12-month, full-time position with benefits. Qualifications include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and previous coaching experience. Preferred candidates will have a working knowledge of the HyTek Systems (Team Manager and Meet Manager), will have a background in collegiate swimming, and will have swim camp or age group coaching experience. A valid driver’s license and the ability and willingness to drive a 15-passenger van is required.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and Employment Application to Human Resources, Lindsey Wilson University, 210 Lindsey Wilson Street, Columbia, Kentucky 42728, fax 270-384-7373 or e-mail hr@lindsey.edu.

Lindsey Wilson University is an EOE.

About Lindsey Wilson University

Lindsey Wilson University, located in Columbia, Kentucky, is a member of the Mid-South Conference and the NAIA, sponsors 29 varsity/club sports programs consisting of 37 teams and 800+ student-athletes.

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