Staff turnover can prove difficult for any program.
But Matt Werle has a plan for a smooth transition.
Werle was announced as the new UCLA women’s volleyball head coach Feb. 6 after spending the 2025 season as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator for Kansas. He was previously the head coach of Grand Canyon’s men’s team, guiding the Antelopes to the 2024 MPSF championship – their first conference title.
“Matt Werle is a proven winner who develops student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond in a Feb. 6 announcement from UCLA Athletics. “He understands what it takes to build a successful program, having led Grand Canyon to its first MPSF championship and first NCAA tournament win. He has won at every level as a coach and as a player, and I have confidence that he will keep this program on an upward trajectory.”
While this will be his second year as a women’s coach in the NCAA and first year in the Big Ten, Werle brings extensive experience to Westwood.
He began coaching as a graduate assistant at GCU before joining the ranks of Team USA volleyball coaches as both a head and assistant coach. He then made the move to Mesa Community College, where he ran all aspects of the women’s volleyball program, from coaching to administration.
The 2024 MPSF and AVCA National Coach of the Year spent a decade leading the men’s team in Phoenix. Under his guidance, the program earned its first ever No. 1 national ranking, MPSF championship and NCAA tournament victory, alongside a collection of other personal and team accolades.
But being at the helm of a program is about more than just coaching.
“Matt’s coaching résumé and accolades speak for themselves, but what truly impressed me was his character and the way people spoke about the impact he had on the lives of the student-athletes he came into contact with,” said Senior Associate Athletics Director Kenny Donaldson in a Feb. 6 announcement from UCLA Athletics. “I am confident that our student-athletes will develop and be successful both on and beyond the court under Matt’s leadership.”
Werle, joined by junior libero Lola Schumacher and senior outside hitter Maggie Li, addressed the importance of joining UCLA Athletics at the Big Ten Volleyball Media Day in Chicago on Aug. 3.
For him, the switch to women’s volleyball and the Big Ten doesn’t affect his coaching style.
“They’re still all college athletes that are trying to be great at their craft, and they’re growing into who they are as people,” Werle said. “I try to coach the people. Volleyball is just a platform to coach the people, and the people that are involved in volleyball are really special.”
Werle credits his personal playing experience as the basis for his coaching approach.
As a setter from Meadville, Pennsylvania, Werle was a four-time All-American and won three NCAA Division III championships at Juniata College, where he is a member of the Hall of Fame. Werle is the only individual to have earned both AVCA Player and Coach of the Year honors.
He started for Team USA at the 2007 Junior World Championships before training with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2010, and then playing professionally in Puerto Rico.
Werle said he is leaning into the UCLA community and emphasizing the importance of connecting with players both on and off the court.
Schumacher, who was one of two Bruins named to the Big Ten Preseason All-Conference Team, reflected on how the importance of relationships outside of volleyball was a key reason for her transfer from Wisconsin to UCLA. She remarked that she often ends up in different staff offices to talk and appreciates Werle’s desire to be there for all the athletes, whether it be for volleyball or something else entirely.
“I always have my door open to our athletes,” Werle said. “You know, ‘Come have dinner at my house.’ So I’ve had way too many self-invites from the players at this point. But we walk the kids to ice cream, and free food is free food. And they have learned that very quickly because now the rumor mill is starting within our roster, but off the court is really important.”
His first season as the Bruins’ head coach kicks off on the road Aug. 15 with an exhibition match against Pepperdine.
And while the clock ticks down to his debut, there are high spirits entering the 2026 campaign.
“All the girls seem to be on board with what we’re trying to do and trying to make some changes,” Werle said. “We’re ready to be in the gym.”
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