Tyler Hildebrand Tabbed to Lead Saint Mary’s College Volleyball

MORAGA, Calif. – USC women's volleyball associate head coach Tyler Hildebrand was named head coach of the Saint Mary's College volleyball team, Gaels vice president for intercollegiate athletics Mike Matoso announced on Friday, Dec. 27.

Following one season with the Women of Troy, Hildebrand becomes the ninth coach in SMC history and will take over a program that had been led for 20 seasons by Rob Browning (2005-24). Browning—who was 283-263 as the Gaels' head coach—concluded his tenure in Moraga on Dec. 9.

"I strongly believe that Tyler is going to leave a mark as a generational volleyball coach," said USC head coach Brad Keller. "He is so highly sought after for a reason. Though our time with him at USC was short, Tyler's impact both on and off the court were evident in the strides our program took this season. I look forward to seeing where he takes the Gaels and am excited for what the future holds for Tyler and his family."

"I want to thank Brad Keller, Ed Stewart, and Jen Cohen for the opportunity to coach here at USC," said Hildebrand. "My family and I could not have asked for a better experience; to be part of this incredible program with a talented and genuine staff and amazing players. Through Brad's authentic leadership, the athletic department's growing commitment to making this program a powerhouse and a truly unique place to play, the future is incredibly bright. The joy of working with these intelligent and wonderful young women who are chasing their dreams and learning how to love the game, respect and care about their teammates and staff, and continue to get better and better on and off the court is something I will cherish forever and that I will take with me on my next journey. Having a leader like Brad, one of the best sport administrators in the country in bossman Ed, and two of the most exceptional and genuine co-assistant coaches in Spencer and Megan, I cannot wait to see what the Women of Troy do next. I have no doubt that Brad and USC volleyball will quickly find a coach to reinforce this program for the student-athletes and the commitment to excellence that is and will always be USC. My wife Kristin and I are so thankful and grateful for this opportunity, and we will miss everyone deeply. Go Trojans and Fight On!"

Prior to joining the USC staff, Hildebrand was the head coach at Long Beach State for two seasons (2022-23). He returned to LBSU—his alma mater—in December 2021 and led the Beach to a 40-19 record over two seasons. Long Beach State went 19-9 in his first year and improved to 21-10 in 2023. Following his second year, Hildebrand was chosen to the Volleyball Magazine list of up-and-coming Coaching Hotshots.

Previously, Hildebrand was on staff at Nebraska for three seasons over the course of five years. The Cornhuskers reached the NCAA regional final in each his three campaigns (2017, '20, '21). In his first season in Lincoln, Hildebrand was responsible for a Nebraska defense that led the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage (.154) and went on to win the 2017 NCAA championship with All-Americans Annika Albrecht and Mikaela Foecke.

In 2018, Hildebrand was selected to lead the USAV Beach National Team as the program's head coach and director of coaching. As the first individual ever to hold that position, Hildebrand's role was to identify and recruit athletes for the BNT, oversee all teams associated with USAV Beach, and serve as head coach for the program's top pairs.

On the sand, Hildebrand has coached the U.S. men's beach teams of Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson (2016 Rio Games), Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena(2020), and Gibb and Tri Bourne (2020); and women's pairs April Ross and Jennifer Kessy (USC All-Americans), Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings, and Emily Dayand Summer Ross. In 2020, Hildebrand coached the U.S. pair of Ross and Alix Klineman to gold medals at the Tokyo Games.

From 2018-19, Hildebrand served his second Olympic cycle and worked with the four American pairs that later represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games. He had previously gone to the 2016 Rio Olympics as a coach while concurrently working at Long Beach State. Hildebrand has also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men's Indoor National Team.

Hildebrand returned to Nebraska in 2020 and helped the Huskers reach the regional final during the COVID-19 impacted spring season (played in 2021). In the fall of 2021, Hildebrand was promoted to associate head coach and helped guide a 10th-seeded Husker team to an NCAA runner-up finish.

Prior to his time at Nebraska, Hildebrand worked with the Long Beach State men's volleyball team as an assistant coach from 2013-15 and as the associate head coach from 2016-17. With Hildebrand on staff, LBSU reached the semifinals of the NCAA championship twice (2016, '17). In 2017, Hildebrand was honored as the AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year.

Hildebrand accepted his first coaching assignment as a volunteer assistant coach at Long Beach State in 2008 and helped the Beach win the MPSF Championship and earn the program's seventh NCAA tournament berth. Following that season, Hildebrand left coaching to focus on his professional playing career.

Hildebrand retired from playing in 2013 and joined the Long Beach State men's indoor volleyball staff as a full-time assistant coach. LBSU went 24-8 overall in his first season on the bench (2015) and made a return to the NCAA tournament in 2016. In 2017, Long Beach State reached the NCAA semifinal and finished the season ranked No. 3. TJ DeFalco was named the AVCA Player of the Year and setter Josh Tuaniga was named a first-team All-American under Hildebrand's direct tutelage.

As a student-athlete, Hildebrand was a four-year starting setter at Long Beach State (2003-06) and was the 2003 AVCA Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. He led LBSU to the NCAA championship match in 2004 and was named to the NCAA all-tournament team. Hildebrand is still the Long Beach State all-time career leader in assists and was a three-time first-team AVCA All-American (2004-06). Following his collegiate career, Hildebrand went on to play for the U.S. Men's National Team over the course of six years (2006-12) and played on the AVP Tour for two years. During that period, Hildebrand helped the U.S. men win four Pan American Cup championships.

With Hildebrand on staff, the Women of Troy were awarded the sixth seed and made their 40th all-time appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2024. USC (22-10) defeated UT Arlington in a three-set sweep in the first round to advance to the second round for the 35th time. There, the Trojans were eliminated by third-seeded and 13th-ranked site host Texas in straight sets. USC reached 20 wins for the second time under fifth-year head coach Brad Keller to earn its third consecutive berth in the NCAA tourney. Setter Mia Tuaniga set a new school record for career assists and was named to the AVCA All-America third team. She and outside hitter Ally Batenhorst were each AVCA All-Region selections and were taken with draft picks in the second PVF Pro Draft.

For more information on the USC women's volleyball team, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Players Mentioned

Ally Batenhorst

Mia Tuaniga