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.”
