Meet the Director of Coaching - Jeff Nelson!

Jeff Nelson brings more than four decades of volleyball coaching experience to Victorium Volleyball Club, including collegiate head coaching roles at Texas Tech, the University of San Francisco and the University of New Mexico. His teams made eight NCAA Tournament appearances across those programs, including San Francisco’s first appearance in school history.

Jeff’s experience also includes serving as head coach of the USA Boys Junior National Team and coaching more than 20 collegiate All-Americans. He has helped over 100 young female athletes earn college scholarships and brings extensive experience developing players, mentoring coaches and building successful programs.

• Proven collegiate leadership: Eight NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach at Texas Tech, San Francisco and New Mexico.
• USA Volleyball experience: Head coach of the USA Boys Junior National Team in 1992, following an assistant coaching role in 1991.
• Player development: Coached more than 20 collegiate All-Americans and helped over 100 young female athletes earn college scholarships.
• Award-winning coaching: Two-time Coach of the Year, with additional league championship and Coach of the Year honors at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Career Summary

Education and Playing Background

• Graduated from Austin High School in 1981 and Ball State University in 1986.
• Member of Ball State’s 1985 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Final Four team.
• Began playing volleyball at age 11 at the Austin YMCA and continued competing at Open Nationals through age 58.
• Involved with the Minnesota Monarchs of Major League Volleyball from 1987–1989.

Collegiate Coaching Experience

• University of Nebraska | Graduate Assistant | 1986–1987
  Part of the coaching staff for the 1986 NCAA women’s national runner-up team.
• University of Minnesota | Assistant Coach | 1989–1990
  Helped the program reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1989.
• Arizona State University | Assistant Coach | 1990–1995
  Part of the coaching staff for two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
• Texas Tech University | Head Coach | 1995–2002
  Led the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances.
• University of San Francisco | Head Coach | 2003–2007
  Led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
• University of New Mexico | Head Coach | 2007–2018
  Led the program to two NCAA Tournament appearances and launched its beach volleyball program in 2015.
• Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Head Coach | 2020–2024
  Earned league championship and Coach of the Year honors and coached four junior college All-Americans.
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USA Volleyball Coaching Experience

• Assistant Coach, USA Boys Junior National Team — 1991.
• Head Coach, USA Boys Junior National Team — 1992.
• Assistant Coach, USA Olympic Festivals — 1993 and 1994.
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Player Development and Additional Experience

• Coached more than 20 collegiate All-Americans.
• Helped over 100 young female athletes earn college scholarships.
• Coached numerous club teams to top finishes in USA Volleyball competition.
• Assisted Coach Moen with the volleyball team while attending ACC in 1982.
• Currently coaches club volleyball and serves as an assistant high school coach in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Recognition and Professional Service

• Two-time Coach of the Year, with additional Coach of the Year recognition at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
• Inducted into the Austin High School Hall of Fame.
• University of San Francisco team honored in the school’s Hall of Fame.
• Served on numerous NCAA and American Volleyball Coaches Association committees, including the Division I All-America Committee and the AVCA Hall of Fame Committee.
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