The University of Alabama’s volleyball program has announced the hiring of Ray Lewis as an assistant coach for the 2025 season. Lewis brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the Crimson Tide.
Prior to joining Alabama, Lewis served as the head men’s volleyball coach at Merrimack College, where he led the Warriors to a 10-win season and a Northeast Conference postseason appearance in their inaugural season. Under his leadership, players like Xander Thesz and Kyle Standage achieved significant accolades, including All-Conference honors and top NCAA rankings in digs per set .
Before his tenure at Merrimack, Lewis was the head coach for both men’s and women’s volleyball at Central State University. He guided the men’s team to a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Regular Season and Tournament championship, and the women’s team to a 23-win season—the most in program history—earning SIAC Coach of the Year honors .
Lewis’s coaching career also includes a successful stint at Benedictine University at Mesa, where he led the men’s volleyball team to the 2019 NAIA National Championship and was named NAIA Coach of the Year. His teams consistently performed at high levels, producing multiple All-American athletes and conference award winners .
Head coach Rashinda Reed expressed enthusiasm about Lewis joining the staff, stating, “Ray’s extensive coaching experience and commitment to developing student-athletes make him a valuable addition to our program.”
With Lewis’s appointment, Alabama’s volleyball coaching staff now includes associate head coach Matt Scott and assistant coach Chelsi Carter, both entering their fourth season, and recent hire Jake Barreau, who joined earlier this year from Michigan State .
The Crimson Tide looks forward to leveraging Lewis’s expertise as they prepare for the upcoming season.
