Texas Volleyball Coach Shifts Sideline Strategy
Jerritt Elliott plans to stand and provide more engagement during matches for the remainder of the season.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Volleyball
Live Poll
Does a coach showing more sideline emotion actually improve a team's performance?
Longhorns volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott has traded his seat on the bench for a more active presence on the sidelines. The 58-year-old leader is increasing his verbal and physical engagement during matches to inject more energy into a squad he describes as having an even-keel temperament.
Why it matters
After a season of mixed results, the coach is looking to boost the team's competitive intensity on the court. Elliott aims to sustain this higher-energy sideline approach for the remainder of the season to help the Longhorns build momentum in SEC play.
The Longhorns currently hold a 9-7 overall record and a 5-3 mark in SEC conference play following a weekend split against Auburn and Florida. The exact impact of this stylistic shift on future performance remains to be seen.
The players
Jerritt Elliott
The 58-year-old head coach of the Texas volleyball program.
Texas Longhorns
The University of Texas at Austin women's volleyball team.
The details
Coach Elliott, who is in his 26th year leading the program, spent last weekend standing rather than sitting during matches against Auburn and Florida. He plans to continue this active sideline style as the team travels to face South Carolina. The adjustment is designed to support the team’s current emotional temperament during competitive play.
Timeline
Last weekend: Texas played matches against Auburn and Florida.
Sunday: The team travels to play South Carolina.
The Texas Context
This shift in coaching intensity aims to realign the current 9-7 squad with the standard of excellence established by the program's 11 historical Final Four appearances. It represents a tactical departure as the team navigates its first season in the SEC.
Fans watching at Gregory Gymnasium or following from home can expect to see a more animated coach on the sidelines during future matches. This new sideline behavior will remain in effect for the remainder of the season.
The takeaway
Supporters should keep an eye on how the team's energy levels evolve during Sunday's away match against South Carolina. Watch the team's performance metrics following this mid-season pivot to see if the adjustment impacts their SEC standing.
Further reading
Follow the team's progress through the remainder of the season on the Volleyball page.
Live Poll
Does a coach showing more sideline emotion actually improve a team's performance?
