Greg Walker - Head Volleyball Coach - Volleyball Coaches (2024)

In his first season of competition at Smith College, Walker led the Pioneers to one of the best season turnarounds in the country. It was its most successful season since 2013, guiding the Pioneers to a tremendous 21-11 record and a post season, NEWMAC Tournament appearance, Smith’s first since the 2013 season. One of the keys to the team’s resurgence was an outstanding recruiting class that included 12 first-years. As a team, the Pioneers finished first in the conference in all point scoring categories with team kills, service aces and blocks. The Pioneers had six student-athletes receiving post season honors by the NEWVA for their success on the court this season. Olivia Smith was named to the 2021 NEWMAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team. Walker was selected by his peers as the 2021 NEWMAC Coach of the Year.

"We are pleased to welcome Greg Walker to Smith College Athletics," said Hughes. "His experience and proven ability to turn around programs speaks for itself. He brings a strong vision for our student-athletes and I amexcited about the future of Smith Volleyball under Greg's leadership."

Walker was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association "30 Under 30" recipient in 2017, an award that honors up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport.

Walker comes to Smith with over a decade of coaching experience at the collegiateand international levels.

Walker has a history in rebuilding programs with turn around seasons. His most recent stop at the University of Southern California, completed another one. USC had an incredibly successful 2019 season going from unranked to finishing in the top 5 in the NCAA. The Trojans more than doubled their win total from 2018 by going 18-11 overall (their most wins since 2015) and finishing third in the MPSF at 7-5 (their highest league finish since 2012). Troy was the MPSF Tournament runner-up and, for the first time since 2012, qualified for the NCAAs.USC, playing the nation's toughest schedule, had 7 wins over teams ranked in the AVCA Top 10 at the time and won 11 of its last 15 matches. Its in-season No. 4 AVCA ranking was the program's highest since 2015 and its final No. 5 ranking was its best finish since 2012. Troy was undefeated at home (12-0) for the first time since 2000 and was 5-2 on neutral courts. At USC, Walker oversaw all recruiting efforts, planned and ran all of the practices, created scouting material and was the point person for admissions, compliance, academic support, strength and conditioning, facilities, sports information and equipment.

He guided Sacred Heart University of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association to a 15-11 mark in 2017 (the third most wins overall in school history and most DI/II wins during the NCAA NC format, including a pair of victories over Penn State and a school-record 8 EIVA conference wins), school first volleyball AVCA All American and was named the EIVA Coach of the Year that season.

Since 2015, Walker was an assistant with the Sacred Heart women's team, helping the 2016 squad to a school-record 22 wins and the Northeast Conference regular season title. In 2015, the Pioneer women advanced to the Northeast Conference tournament semifinals. Sacred Heart had the NEC Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016.

From 2013-14 Walker served as the assistant coach of the Mississippi State women's volleyball program followed by a year as the head coach of the Alderson Broaddus University men's team. Under his tutelage at MSU, he coached a program first – two AVCA All-American’s and a SEC Freshman Team selection. At ABU, he transitioned a club program into a varsity program and in his first season posted a 21-6 overall record while leading them to a Conference Championship.

His first head coaching job came at Pfeiffer University, where he was in charge of both the men's and women's teams, leading the men to the Conference Carolinas conference championship in 2013.

Walker began his career as a volunteer assistant for the Juniata College men's team, before moving on to volunteer assistant positions with the women's programs at Mercer University and the University of Oregon.

COACHING CAREER
2019-Present Smith College
2018-19– University of Southern California (Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Men's Volleyball)
2015-18– Sacred Heart University (Head Coach, Men's Volleyball/Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach)
2014-15– Alderson Broaddus University (Head Coach, Men's Volleyball)
2013-14– Mississippi State University (Assistant Coach, Women's Volleyball)
2012-13– Pfeiffer University (Head Coach, Men's & Women's Volleyball)

BY THE NUMBERS
2021 United States Sports Academy Alumnus of the Year
AVCA 30 Under 30 (recognizes the top 30 up and coming coaches in the USA)
65 All-Conference/All-Academic Awards
16 AVCA All-American/All-Region/National Player of the Week
10 Conference Championship Appearances
8 Team USA National POTY
7 NEWVA Honors
5 Conference COTY Honors
3 Conference POTY Athletes
4 AVCA Academic Team Awards

2021 & 2022NEWMAC Conference Championships
2019 NCAA Quarterfinal
2019 MPSF Championship Final
2019 Parapan American Games Silver Medalist
2019 VNL Bulgaria
2018 World Championships Top 8 Finish
2018 Pan American Cup Top 7 Finish
2018 VNL Ottawa, Chicago
2017 EIVA Championships Final Four
2017 Northeast Conference Championship Final
2017 NORCECA Gold Medal
2017 Parapan American Championship Silver Medal
2016 Northeast Conference Champions
2016 Paralympic Games
2015 Penn-Ohio Conference Champions
2015 Parapan American Games Silver Medalist
2014 Paravolley World Championships
2013 Conference Carolinas Conference Champion
2012 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Runner Up

What Others Are Saying About Greg Walker
Jenny McDowell, Emory Women's Volleyball Head Coach
"Greg is one of the finest volleyball coaches in the country – his volleyball knowledge is off the charts, he's incredibly committed to the student-athlete experience, and he brings an unsurpassed passion to the game. I'm thrilled for Greg, for Smith College, and for the athletes that will get to be a part of the program there."

John Speraw, Men's National Team Coach, UCLA Men's Volleyball Head Coach
"I'm thrilled for Greg, Heather and Smith College. Greg has a passion for the sport and a diverse set of experiences at the collegiate and international level and is incredibly skilled with the organizational part of the game. This is an incredible match and I'm excited to see how Smith College does in the future."

Jamie Davis, Chief Executive Officer USA Volleyball
"Congratulations to Smith College on their selection of Greg Walker as their new head volleyball coach. Greg is extremely talented, hard-working and diligent and will prove to be an excellent leader for the squad. As the head coach for USA Volleyball's Men's Sitting National Team, Greg has led the team to new heights including a best ever finish at World Championships and I am confident that he will do the same at Smith. I am thrilled for Greg, his family, and everyone in Northampton!"