Deane Webb
Head Coach

One of the most dedicated and accomplished young coaches in the country, Deane Webb enters his fifth season as head coach of Belmont Volleyball.

During Webb’s tenure, the Bruin program has simply redefined itself; enjoying marked improvement across the board. From facilities to recruiting; from academics to on-court performance, Webb has laid the groundwork for a winning tradition for years to come. 2006 was truly a culmination of years of hard work. Belmont went a remarkable 24-7 - its third straight 20+ win campaign - won three early-season tournaments (Birmingham-Southern, Southern Illinois, and Eastern Kentucky), won the Atlantic Sun Championship, and secured the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament (vs. Ohio State). The 24 wins represent the most in any single-season in the Bruin NCAA era, and is just one shy of the program standard.

After pacing the conference in virtually every statistical category, postseason accolades poured in for BU with Webb being named Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year. Among the many honors for junior setter Colleen Nilson was AVCA Honorable Mention All-America recognition. Nilson became the fourth Bruin student-athlete and first volleyball player to earn NCAA All-American honors. Four other Bruins (Katie Tobiasz, Jaye Schuler, Emily Cahill, and Cat Mundy) either received All-Atlantic Sun or All-Tournament Team nods.

In 2005, Webb orchestrated another outstanding campaign, as Belmont went 22-15 against unquestionably the toughest competition in program history. The 22 victories - including one over traditional stalwart Memphis - were the most ever by a Belmont team in one season (NCAA era, breaking the record of 21 set just a year prior). The Bruins reached their second consecutive Atlantic Sun Championship match, losing in four, hard-fought sets to Florida Atlantic.

Three seasons ago, Webb led Belmont volleyball from Atlantic Sun after-thought to being just six points short of winning both the A-Sun regular season title and tournament crown. In only his second year in Nashville, Webb was tabbed A-Sun Coach of the Year after leading Belmont to the third best turnaround in the nation. The Bruins finished second after falling to the regular season champion Florida Atlantic in five games, and came within an eyelash of the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth, dropping another five-game heartbreaker in the A-Sun Championship final. Belmont posted the best winning percentage in school history (21-8 - .724) while leading the A-Sun in hitting percentage, assists, kills, aces and overall wins.

"We are excited about what Deane has accomplished in such a short time," said Belmont Director of Athletics Mike Strickland. "He is a proven winner and Belmont volleyball seems poised to take another huge step in the near future.” Webb has transformed the Bruins roster into one of the most talented in the Atlantic Sun. Belmont boasts a young, promising roster due largely in part to his recruiting diligence and keen eye for talent. Webb has secured commitments from several top club players from around the nation over the past three seasons.

Since joining Belmont’s staff, Webb has become a voting member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) weekly Top-25 poll and a member of the AVCA’s head coaches committee. Webb came to Belmont from East Tennessee State University where, in his first year, he led the Bucs to one of the best seasons in ETSU women's volleyball history with an overall record of 20-6. The Bucs also earned a second place finish in the Southern Conference after being picked seventh in the pre-season polls. In that same year, ETSU had their best regular season winning percentage since 1991 and their highest seed in the Southern Conference Tournament since 1992. In 2001, Webb coached the SoCon's Player of the Year, setter Carey Cavanaugh, and saw outside hitter Nicole Ryan garner the league's Freshman of the Year award in 2002. Webb compiled a 28-29 record over two seasons at ETSU and now carries an eight-year record of 188-110 (.631).

Prior to his arrival at ETSU, Webb served four years as the head coach at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. He was a two-time NAIA Conference and Region Coach of the Year and led his team to unrivaled success. Webb took over a team that finished 7-31 in 1996 and improved its record to 24-19 in his first season. In his second year, Indiana Wesleyan finished 35-16 and followed with a 32-12 mark in 1999. His 2000 squad set school records for wins (43) and winning percentage (.915/43-4). Indiana Wesleyan earned the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship and was ranked as high as 11th in the NAIA polls. The NCCAA National Coach of the Year, Webb was also nominated for NAIA National Coach of the Year. Overall, Webb posted a 134-51 during his four year tenure at Indiana Wesleyan and produced eight all-conference selections as well as a third team All-American honoree. While in Indiana, Webb served as a head and assistant coach for the Munciana Volleyball Club in Muncie, Indiana. The Munciana teams form the top club program in the nation and earned the club national championship in every year Webb was involved with the organization.

Before entering the coaching ranks, Webb earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in 1995 at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. He then went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas in 1998. While at Indiana Wesleyan, Webb also served as an assistant professor in the department of health, physical education, recreation and athletics.

Deane resides in Nashville with his wife Rebecca, and daughters Sarah Faith and Ashlyn Hope.