April 10, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's head volleyball coach Grayson DuBose announced Thursday the hiring of Tom Peterson as an assistant for the Aggies. Peterson, who served as USU's head coach from 1999-2000, replaces Shawn Olmstead who recently resigned to take a similar position at Brigham Young University.

Peterson brings 28 years of coaching experience with him to Utah State, including 21 as a head coach. Most recently, Peterson spent four years (2003-06) as the head coach of Brigham Young's men's volleyball program, leading the Cougars to the National Championship in 2004 and a national runner-up finish in 2003. In his 10 years as a men's head coach at the Division I level, Peterson's teams appeared in seven NCAA Final Fours.

"I am excited to get the opportunity to work with Tom Peterson again," said DuBose. "He is an unbelievable volleyball coach and his knowledge of the systems we employ will help our team continue forward in its goals. Having worked with Tom for many years, there will definitely be a level of comfort that will make the transition for both of us much smoother."

Prior to his stint at BYU, Peterson spent one year as the women's head coach at New Mexico (2001) and two years as the head coach at Utah State, leading the Aggies to the Big West Conference Eastern Division Championship in 1999 and the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2000, its first in school history. USU, which had just two winning campaigns in its previous 16 seasons prior to Peterson's arrival, received its first-ever top-25 ranking in 2000 and finished the year ranked 22nd.

"It is a privilege to work with Grayson and the Utah State volleyball program again," said Peterson. "Utah State's program is one that my wife and I are very fond of and I hope my experience can add to the great things Grayson is doing at USU."

Peterson began his coaching career at the University of Utah in 1980 as he spent three years as an assistant with the women's program and two years as the head coach of the men's club team. He also spent one season as a women's assistant and another as a men's assistant at BYU before becoming the head coach of the men's club team, leading the Cougars to the 1986, 1987 and 1988 National Collegiate Club Championship.

Peterson was then hired as the head coach of the men's program at Penn State, leading the Nittany Lions to five NCAA Final Four appearances, including the 1994 National Championship as he was named the NCAA Coach of the Year.

Following his stint at Penn State, Peterson spent two years as an assistant men's coach at BYU and three years as the women's head coach at Salt Lake Community College, leading the Bruins to a No. 7 nationally ranking during its inaugural 1997 season.

Peterson graduated from Brigham Young with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1978. He then received his master's degree in professional leadership from BYU in 1982 and earned his doctoral degree in physical education administration, curriculum and instruction from BYU in 1992. He is married to the former Sheryl Rice of Bakersfield, Calif.