Shawn Olmstead

Shawn Olmstead is an American college volleyball coach. He is the head coach for the BYU Cougars men's volleyball team, a position he had held since the 2016 season. Olmstead served as head coach for the BYU Cougars women's volleyball from 2011 to 2014. In 2014, he was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coach of the Year. His sister, Heather Olmstead, coached the BYU Cougars women's volleyball team until December 11, 2025, when she resigned from the position.

Early life, family, and playing career

Olmstead is one of seven children born to parents Rick and Trudy Olmstead and is the only boy in the family. Olmstead is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission for the Church in Mendoza, Argentina from 1997 to 1999. Olmstead is married to former Cougar Farrah Hofheins, and they have three daughters and a son.

High school

Olmstead attended Carpinteria High School for four years. Prior to his junior year he played club volleyball in Santa Barbara because Carpinteria didn't have a boys volleyball team. During his junior year he helped start the boys volleyball team. He went on to be a two-year starter and was awarded an MVP award. He also set a school record for kills in a single match.

College

After graduating from Carpinteria High School, Olmstead was brought to BYU where he played on the BYU Cougars men's volleyball team from 2000 until 2004 while majoring in Spanish Education with a minor in Sociology. During three of his four seasons BYU made the national championship, winning it twice in 2001 and 2004. During his senior season Olmstead started at libero, recorded the third-most digs in a single season (230) in school history, and earned Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Tournament honors.

Coaching career

After graduating from BYU in 2004, Olmstead joined the coaching staff at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he also served as recruiting coordinator. During that lone season, in 2005 he helped turn the Mustangs from a 5–24 team to a 19–6 record. The following April, Olmstead moved back to Utah, where he joined the coaching staff at Utah State University for two seasons.

In 2008, Olmstead returned to BYU to help revitalize the women's volleyball team. After four years Olmstead, was offered the position of head coach when Shay Goulding resigned. He agreed upon the condition that his sister, Heather. be allowed to come on as his assistant. The two worked together for four seasons until he moved over to the men's team.

During his time as head coach, Olmstead has led BYU to the national championship match four times (one women's, three men's) as well as coached numerous All-Americans. He attributes the success to being willing to learn.

Head coaching record

Women's

Men's

External links