WNT Head Coach Erik Sullivan Will Also Lead LOVB Austin in 2026

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 24, 2025) – As volleyball’s momentum accelerates across the United States, USA Volleyball marks a defining milestone in the sport’s evolution: the appointment of two-time Olympian and current U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Erik Sullivan as the head coach of LOVB Austin.

A former standout libero for the U.S. Men’s National Team and a driving force behind the University of Texas’s collegiate dominance, Sullivan will take his elite-level insight and leadership to League One Volleyball (LOVB), helping shape the next chapter of American volleyball ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

Sullivan was named head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team earlier this year after a 14-season tenure as associate head coach at Texas, where he helped lead the program to three NCAA national championships and eight Final Four appearances. Now, as he returns to Austin to head up LOVB’s professional franchise, his leadership will span both the national and professional stages.

“Coming back to Austin and helping lead this next chapter of LOVB is incredibly meaningful to me,” Sullivan said. “This team has already made history, and I’m honored to build on that world-class legacy while contributing to the rise of professional volleyball in the U.S. through League One Volleyball.”

Sullivan’s appointment reflects a broader, strategic alignment between USA Volleyball and professional leagues, creating expanded, year-round pathways for elite players and coaches. His key partner on that journey is Tayyiba Haneef-Park—a three-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist—who now serves as both an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team and head coach of the San Diego Mojo in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). Together, Sullivan and Haneef-Park embody a new generation of leadership, connecting Olympic-level excellence with the energy and ambition of the growing pro scene.

“We’re witnessing a true inflection point for volleyball in the U.S.,” said John Speraw, president and CEO of USA Volleyball. “With the rise of PVF, LOVB, and Athletes Unlimited, our athletes now have more opportunities than ever to thrive in the sport they love. Coaches like Erik and Tayyiba are the bridge between that growth and Olympic excellence. This is how we build a movement.”

These developments come at a transformative time for the sport. Professional volleyball is gaining ground at unprecedented speed—selling out arenas, capturing national media attention, and inspiring a new generation of athletes.

As the countdown to LA 2028 continues, USA Volleyball remains committed to fueling the sport’s rise through bold collaboration, visionary leadership and a unified pathway from grassroots to the Olympic stage.