Olmsteads ascend to head men's, women's volleyball roles at BYU


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PROVO — When Chris McGown stepped down unexpectedly as head coach of the BYU men’s volleyball program last month, athletic director Tom Holmoe had quite the hole to fill in the Cougar athletic department.

McGown, who served as head coach from 2012-15, led the Cougars to back-to-back MPSF regular-season and tournament titles in 2013-14 and a spot in the national semifinals. The 2013 AVCA National Coach of the Year guided BYU to a 67-22 record in three seasons as the head coach before stepping down to spend more time with his family.

The search for his replacement, however, didn’t go far — just down the hallway, in fact.

Former women’s volleyball coach Shawn Olmstead has been tapped to take over the men’s program and replace McGown, Holmoe announced Monday morning in a news release. His sister, BYU women’s volleyball assistant Heather Olmstead, was promoted to head coach of her current team.

“(Shawn Olmstead) has an incredible love for volleyball and has put together an outstanding resume as both a coach and as a former student-athlete,” Holmoe said in a statement. “In just four short years, Shawn guided our women’s volleyball program back to national prominence, including a spot in last year’s national championship match. He has been successful at every level, and I’m excited to see him make the transition to coaching our men’s program.”

Olmstead’s success at BYU includes a 103-25 record since taking over the women’s program in 2011. The veteran volleyball coach and former BYU libero led BYU to three trips to the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16, including last season’s national finals, which the Cougars lost to Penn State.

The 2014-15 women’s volleyball team was the most successful squad in BYU history, racking up a 30-5 record and producing three AVCA All-Americans in Jennifer Hamson, Alexa Gray and Amy Boswell. Olmstead was named AVCA National Coach of the Year, as well as West Coast Conference co-coach of the year.

“I'm excited for this new challenge and the opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a coach,” Olmstead said. “I’m passionate about BYU volleyball. Some of my greatest memories, experiences and life lessons were as a member of the men’s volleyball program. I was fortunate to be a part of two national championship teams as a player at BYU. I understand the commitment, competitiveness and team chemistry that it takes to win at that level.”

Olmstead’s replacement on the women’s side doesn’t have to move very far, either. In fact, the returning players won’t even have to change the new coach’s last name — sister Heather Olmstead, a long-time BYU assistant was promoted to head coach.

“I’m humbled and excited to lead the BYU women’s volleyball program into the future,” Heather Olmstead said in a statement. “I’m extremely honored to continue to develop relationships with the wonderful young women on our team. I’m excited to get in the gym and continue preparing for the 2015 season.”

Heather Olmstead played volleyball at Utah State, where she helped the Aggies advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2000-01. She has experience as an assistant at her alma mater, Utah and various high school club teams both nationally and internationally.

For Shawn Olmstead, the chance to build on the legacy of the McGown family, including legendary BYU volleyball coach Carl McGown and his son Chris, presents a unique opportunity for the Olmstead clan.

“Chris McGown and his staff have done an outstanding job and I’m fortunate to be taking over a program that is one of the best in the country,” Shawn Olmstead said. “I look forward to developing new relationships and continuing the success that BYU volleyball has enjoyed over the years.”

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