Heather Olmstead is back in college coaching.
The Carpinteria native was named Monday as the associate head coach for the University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team. She joins the staff of first-year head coach Joshua Walker, after spending 11 years as the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at BYU.
Olmstead stepped down last December. She had a great run in Provo, Utah, posting an impressive record of 279-55. Her .835 winning percentage ranked fourth among active Division I coaches when she closed out her career with the Cougars. She led BYU to six West Coast Conference championships and is a four-time WCC Coach of the Year and three-time AVCA Pacific South Region Coach of the Year. The Cougars made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in her 11 years, advanced to the Sweet 16 five times and reached the Final Four in 2018. She was the 2018 AVCA National Coach of the Year.
“I am beyond excited and extremely grateful for Heather choosing to help get things established this fall,” Walker said. “She is a consummate professional and her resume speaks for itself, but I know personally how thoughtful and caring of a person she is, which is truly invaluable. Giving our athletes an elite experience will continue to be a goal here, and I know Heather can help provide that.”
Olmstead is currently the head coach of the USA Volleyball U17 team and will arrive in Mānoa following the FIVB Girls U17 World Championship set for Aug. 6-16 in Santiago, Chile.
“It’s a privilege to join a program with such a rich tradition and passionate community,” Olmstead said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to support Coach Joshua this season, serve our student-athletes, and help build on the legacy that has made Hawaiʻi volleyball so special.”
After years competing with UC Santa Barbara in the Big West, Hawai’i is moving to a new conference this season. The Rainbow Wahine are now members of the Mountain West Conference.
