John Speraw, who has served as the head coach for USA Volleyball’s men’s national team since 2013, is transitioning into a new role as the organization’s president and CEO. After years of steering the men’s team to significant accomplishments, including Olympic and World Championship medals, Speraw is set to assume his new leadership position next Tuesday.
Speraw’s journey with USA Volleyball began in 1997 when he joined the World University Games team as an assistant coach. In reflecting on his experiences, Speraw expressed his deep gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to now lead the organization. “To now be entrusted with the opportunity to lead USA Volleyball as president and CEO is both a profound honor and deeply humbling,” he shared in a recent press release.
The 52-year-old Speraw succeeds Jamie Davis, who had announced earlier this year that he would not renew his contract. Davis, in turn, has taken up a new role as CEO of USA Water Polo. Under Speraw’s guidance, the U.S. men’s volleyball team secured Olympic bronze medals in both 2016 and 2024 and a world championship bronze in 2018.
Speraw’s remarkable coaching career includes a record-tying number of appearances as the U.S. men’s head coach at the Olympics, sharing this honor with the legendary Doug Beal. His leadership contract with USA Volleyball was renewed following the Tokyo Games, extending his tenure through 2024. Alongside his national team role, Speraw also coached UCLA to consecutive national titles in the last two years.
As Speraw steps into this pivotal new role, USA Volleyball has not yet initiated the search for a new head coach for the men’s national team. His leadership will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy on the sport, both as a coach and now as a key executive at the helm of USA Volleyball.
geraldine ikyelleve