Keith Smith takes over Utah State Volleyball with winning expectations

When Keith Smith accepted the Utah State Volleyball head coaching position in January, he knew he wasn’t stepping into a rebuild. Instead, he was inheriting a program fresh off one of the most successful seasons in school history — and one with expectations to keep winning. 

Smith discussed that challenge and his first impressions of Utah State during a recent appearance on “The Statesman Sports Desk,” the Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU-LP weekly sports talk show hosted by The Utah Statesman. 

After spending most of his life on the West Coast and coaching stops across the country — and even overseas — Smith said Logan has quickly stood out. 

“I’ve lived in eight states and coached all over,” Smith said. “This is a really special place. There’s a genuine care for people here, and there’s also a passion for sports across every program, not just football or basketball.” 

Smith, who played collegiately at Grand Canyon University and later professionally in the Netherlands, transitioned into coaching after a career-ending injury. His coaching resume includes stints at University of Providence, Grand Canyon, Auburn University and Texas Christian University, along with nearly a decade of experience in the USA Volleyball national team development program. 

USU Vice President and Director of Athletics Cam Walker explained Smith’s professional experience was a highlight in bringing him to Logan. 

“He’s a proven recruiter with a strong track record of developing players. From the start of the hiring process, his professionalism and expertise were evident,” Walker said at the time of Smith’s hire. “His background with USA Volleyball will be invaluable as the program works to reach the next level.” 

That wide-ranging background, Smith said, has shaped how he approaches his first head coaching role. 

“You’re really an educator as a coach,” Smith said. “Every athlete is at a different point in their development. The job is figuring out where they are and helping them take the next step.” 

Smith is taking over a Utah State program that went 18-0 in Mountain West play last season, won its first NCAA tournament match since 2001 and reached as high as No. 3 nationally in winning streak length. While he didn’t closely follow the Aggies throughout the entire season due to his responsibilities at TCU, Smith said Utah State caught his attention during the NCAA tournament. 

“That was a high-level team,” Smith said. “Watching them in the tournament — that’s the standard we’re trying to build toward every year.” 

Smith also credited former head coach Rob Neilson, now at Brigham Young University, for building a foundation that made Utah State attractive. 

“What Rob and his staff did here is special,” Smith said. “The culture, the expectations, the investment in winning — all of that matters.” 

Utah State Volleyball team wins the title for Mountain West Champions on Nov 22nd. Photo by Hadley Sintay.

Despite the coaching change, Utah State retained much of its roster, including reigning Mountain West Player of the Year and All-American setter Kaylie Kofe, first-year standout middle blocker Lauren Larkin and libero Kendel Thompson. Smith said continuity is unusual but critical. 

“Having a setter like Kaylie gives you a chance to win at a really high level,” Smith said. “She can dictate the game, and that allows us to do a lot of things offensively.” 

Utah State did lose several key contributors to graduation and the transfer portal, but Smith emphasized the program is focused on retooling rather than rebuilding. He noted the addition of transfer Olivia Ruy and an incoming recruiting class he described as one of the best outside the power conferences. 

Stylistically, Smith said the Aggies will look familiar but faster. 

“We’re not changing much,” Smith said. “We’re pushing the tempo and seeing how fast we can play.” 

Off the court, Smith said Logan has been an easy place for his family to settle in, particularly with its access to the outdoors. An avid golfer and self-described “lake person in training,” Smith said Bear Lake is already on his list. 

Smith’s full interview aired on “The Statesman Sports Desk,” which runs live every Monday at 10 a.m. on Aggie Radio and is available on Podbean, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.