STANFORD, Calif. -- Billy Allen has joined the Stanford beach volleyball program for the 2024 season as an assistant coach, announced on Monday by head coach Andrew Fuller.
Allen joins the Cardinal after a season spent across the Bay, most recently serving the California Golden Bears indoor volleyball program as an assistant coach for the 2023 season. Allen helped coach the Bears to their first winning record since 2019, finishing the year at 16-15 (5-15 Pac-12) with an undefeated 11-0 non-conference record. Under his leadership, three players earned their first career All-Pac-12 awards.
"I am over the moon to welcome Billy to the coaching staff at Stanford," noted Fuller. "Billy has been one of the best beach volleyball players on the professional tour for the last two decades, and he will bring a wealth of experience to the team. Billy can synthesize and deliver messages to players in fun and creative ways, guiding them as unique individuals, all with a competitive spirit for which I have had immense respect throughout our friendship."
Allen brings experience at the club, high school, collegiate, and adult levels with him to the Cardinal. The author of two coaching books, Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching Volleyball and The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like A Champion, Allen is the cohost of the volleyball coaching podcast Coach Your Brains Out.
"I am thrilled to join the Stanford beach volleyball program," said Allen. "I have followed the team's success and have been impressed with the culture Coach Fuller, his staff, and the players have built at Stanford. I'm excited to join an institution known for academic and athletic excellence. I look forward to getting to know the program's student-athletes and staff and to work with them this season."
Outside of coaching, Allen plays professional beach volleyball on the AVP tour. The three-time AVP champion played six years on the USA Beach Volleyball National team, representing his country in competitions around the world.
Allen grew up in Fallbrook, San Diego, and played college indoor volleyball at Cal State Northridge. Allen and fellow AVP player Janelle Ruen, were married in 2009. The two have one son, Ketch.