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Shawn Olmstead resets record books in latest achievement at BYU
TL;DR
Shawn Olmstead, head coach of BYU men's volleyball, achieved his 206th career win, setting a new record for the program. He credited his success to the players and staff who supported him throughout his coaching journey.
BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead looks on during an NCAA menās volleyball game against the Saint Francis University Red Flash at the George Albert Smith Fieldhouse in Provo on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYUās Shawn Olmstead made history earlier this month when he picked up his 206th career win in his current role as head coach of the menās volleyball program.
Despite the significant achievement, Olmstead modestly gave credit to others that helped him reach the career milestone.
āI donāt want to take away from the great players Iāve been able to (coach),ā he said. āIāve just been super blessed and lucky that coaches and players and staff members would just put a little ounce of faith in me. ā¦ I donāt want it to ever be about me.ā
āThe only smart thing Iāve done is ā¦ put myself in a position where Iām just surrounded by a bunch of good people. Iāve been able to benefit from that.ā
BYU men's volleyball coach Shawn Olmstead
In reaching win No. 206, the 11th-year head coach passed the late Cougar legend Carl McGown, who helped pioneer the BYU menās volleyball program and coached and mentored Olmstead while he played at the school. McGown remained BYUās all-time winningest coach in the sport until his former player passed him in a road sweep of Vanguard on April 3.
āThis program ā¦ has always just had a very, very special place in my heart for the way it kind of formed my life and the lessons I got to learn and the teammates I had,ā Olmstead said. āIāll always hold onto that forever.ā
McGown played a big part in making the current head coachās experience in Provo so special as a student-athlete. Olmstead continued to pay tribute to his mentor after passing him in the record books, coaching in 46 fewer matches before passing him.
āItās really hard for me because (of) the pedestal that I have Carl on,ā Olmstead said. āItās because he had to grind through seasons of two wins and tough seasons that this program was built ā¦ and Iām (a beneficiary of that). ā¦ I donāt see a list where I should ever be above Carl McGown.ā
McGownās tutelage continues to influence BYUās head coach and the Cougarsā volleyball program as Olmstead implements many of the things he learned from the schoolās first coach, including the importance of relationships and building his teamās culture. Olmstead has played an important role in the lives of the players that have come through the program under his leadership.
āHe grabs guys that embrace the BYU culture,ā Cougar senior setter Tyler Herget said of Olmstead. āHe does a great job at building a culture, not (just) of winning ā¦ but he builds a culture where guys know what they can get out of the program. And lots of guys can do anything and ā¦ go work and are successful at whatever they do, or they go and play pro. And I think thatās something that Shawn does a great job of balancing.ā
Olmstead has created great balance during his professional career, remaining humble and taking advantage of opportunities to find great success.
āThe only smart thing Iāve done is ā¦ put myself in a position where Iām just surrounded by a bunch of good people,ā he said. āIāve been able to benefit from that.ā
Olmstead and those around him could potentially add many more wins to the head coachās record tally, with his love for BYU and his role at the school seeming to grow with time.
āIt feels like yesterday that this opportunity was presented to me,ā he said. āI have such a strong connection to the program. ā¦ Iām either gonna die here or theyāre gonna run me out one day. And I hope that I continue to just get to work with great kids that allow me to be successful and stay here because I love it.ā
The 11 seasons have flown by for the coach that has now rewritten the record books. Olmsteadās love for the program he leads, coupled with hard work, has garnered him a distinction that no other BYU menās volleyball coach has ever achieved. He has reached a winning status of his own, and will look to continue building on that remarkable foundation in the days and years ahead.
BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead slaps hands with his players as a timeout is taken during an NCAA menās volleyball game against UC San Diego held at the George Albert Smith Fieldhouse in Provo on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Q&A
What record did Shawn Olmstead achieve as BYU men's volleyball coach?
Shawn Olmstead achieved his 206th career win, setting a new record for the BYU men's volleyball program.
When did Shawn Olmstead reach his 206th career win?
Shawn Olmstead reached his 206th career win earlier this month, specifically on January 9, 2026.
How does Shawn Olmstead feel about his coaching milestone?
Shawn Olmstead expressed modesty about his achievement, emphasizing the contributions of his players and staff rather than focusing on himself.
Who did Shawn Olmstead credit for his success at BYU?
Shawn Olmstead credited his success to the great players, coaches, and staff members who supported him throughout his coaching career.
