Former men’s volleyball coach John Speraw departs UCLA after making history
Former UCLA men’s volleyball head coach John Speraw coaches his players from the sideline. The former Bruin middle blocker leaves Westwood after 21 years in the program as a player, assistant coach and head coach. (Zimo Li/Photo editor)
By Connor Dullinger
Sept. 25, 2024 3:51 p.m.
This post was updated Sept. 26 at 12:28 a.m.
Former UCLA men’s volleyball head coach John Speraw departed from the program, leaving UCLA to take on the role as the next CEO and president of USA Volleyball.
Throughout his 21-year career at UCLA, Speraw notched seven national championships – as a player and coach combined.
Speraw is coming off of back-to-back national championship seasons with the Bruins, and the upcoming season could have been his chance to garner the first three-peat in collegiate volleyball since UCLA’s in 1984. The Bruins still have the opportunity to complete the trifecta but will have to do it without their prized head honcho.
The former Bruin leaves Westwood to take full control over USA Volleyball – a program he has been involved with since 1997. During his time with the organization, Speraw served as the assistant coach for the gold-medal-winning squad that competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Arcadia, California, local was promoted to head coach of the United States national team in March 2013 and led the team to two Olympic bronze medal finishes while at the helm – the most recent coming at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Prior to his head coaching position at UCLA, Speraw was a member of UCLA’s two national championship teams in 1993 and 1995.
After graduating from UCLA in 1995, Speraw served as an assistant coach for seven years before being appointed to the helm of UC Irvine in 2002. At Irvine, Speraw amassed a 192-102 record during his 10 years while en route to three national championships, including the Anteaters’ first in program history. As a result of his expertise, he was named the 2006 AVCA National Coach of the Year after leading the Anteaters to their first-ever MPSF title and a school record 21 straight victories to finish their regular season.
Speraw came back to lead his alma mater in 2012 and immediately made his mark. During his tenure, Speraw logged two national championships and the 2023 AVCA National Coach of the Year honor – the second of his career. His 2024 national championship marked the program’s 21st title – the most NCAA titles out of any UCLA sport.
As the first person to win an NCAA men’s volleyball championship as a head coach, assistant coach and player, the Bruins have lost one of their most celebrated figures – the legendary John Speraw.
