Rob Neilson enters his sixth season as a coach at BYU. He began his coaching career in 2007 as an assistant to former BYU head coach Shawn Patchell. Serving as the interim head coach in 2011, Neilson guided the Cougars to a 20-8 record and a No. 5 final national ranking. Neilson is currently an assistant to head coach Chris McGown.

Neilson has been coaching volleyball at summer camps since 2000. He played for and coached under former BYU coaches Carl McGown and Tom Peterson.
Neilson married Sarah Wheatly in September 2006.

Education

BS degree in neuroscience from BYU in 2006

Playing Career

Neilson was the starting setter for two years with the Cougars in 2005 and 2006. As a junior in 2005, Neilson earned All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Honorable Mention status while also being named Academic All-MPSF.

He started every match in his junior and senior year. Neilson was named the USA Today/AVCA National Player of the Week in his junior season for his play against Hawaii.

As a senior, Neilson earned All-MPSF Honorable Mention and Academic All-MPSF honors for his second consecutive season. All totaled, Neilson played in 314 career games for BYU, which is seventh in BYU history. He was a member of BYU's 2004 National Championship team.

Hometown

Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Mission

Croatia