LOGAN, Utah – With the Utah State volleyball team under the direction of a new coaching staff, the Aggies were working hard in the gym through spring practice when the world turned upside down.
While the first few months on the job have not gone the way they expected, the new staff is making the most of the time outside of the gym.
Tyson Norton joined the Aggies as an assistant coach with 13 years of coaching experience. He has had experience on both the men's and women's side of the game, with time as a head coach and assistant coach. Most recently, Norton was the head coach at Gavilan College in Gilroy, Calif. Prior to that, he was on staff at Nevada for four seasons. He also had two stints as an assistant coach for the men's team at UC Santa Barbara.
Norton played collegiately, starting at Golden West College before transferring to UC Santa Barbara. He graduated from UCSB in 2007 with a degree in communications. He also has master's degrees in coaching and athletic administration, as well as exercise science, both from Concordia University. He and his wife, Sarah, have three daughters, Riley, Finley and Charley.
We recently caught up with Norton for a Q&A.
Q: You're a few months into the job, how are things going?
Norton: This has definitely been a unique situation the first few months at Utah State with COVID-19. First of all, we hope everyone is healthy and safe during this time, and are doing well during the quarantine. The first weeks of training were going really well. Each player was working hard and making gains on the court and in the weight room. There was a real difference each player and staff could see from the first day of spring until we had to end our spring season. We are trying our best to build meaningful relationships and develop each player's skills and knowledge through online meetings. Our players and staff are looking forward to continuing our development when we are able to get back in the gym. It has been exciting getting to know Rob (Neilson), Chloe (Hirst), Madeline (Dolny) and Mike (Wilton), and look forward to learning more about them and their families. This a fun, competitive group of coaches who know a lot about volleyball and have a true passion for the sport.
Q: What is your role on the coaching staff?
Norton: As associate coach, my main responsibility will be player development. By having an understanding of each system and principle we are implementing allows us to help improve each student-athlete's skills, techniques, and volleyball IQ. I am helping to develop a film library and a program manual for reference. Additionally, I will be assisting in evaluating recruits, film review and scouting reports, and serving as the camp coordinator and academic liaison.
Q: You've coached at several different levels, working with both men's and women's teams as an assistant and a head coach, what was appealing about the job at Utah State?
Norton: I have known Rob for a long time, back to when he played and coached at BYU while I played and coached at UC Santa Barbara. I believed we would work well together and would get on the same page quickly. I trust in Rob's vision, creativity and plan for the Aggies, and look forward to contributing to our success.
Additionally, with Rob's national team experience, I believe this is a program I can learn from and grow as a coach. Our staff has a lot of strengths, which complement each other well and benefits the program as a whole. Having previously worked in the Mountain West, spending four seasons at Nevada, I am familiar with what it takes to win in this conference. The Mountain West is a competitive conference where any team can win on any night. Utah State has always had strong student and fan support, and a great family environment on campus and in the Wayne Estes Center. I know there is great potential here with the administrative and academic support, facilities, the student-athletes on campus and high-quality recruits we can bring in.
Q: What have you been up to during this social distancing and quarantine period?
Norton: My family and I actually moved from Reno to Logan during this time. It was unfortunate we were unable for us to say bye to our friends, my daughters' classmates, and neighbors in person, but we use FaceTime to stay in contact with them and our families. We have also used this time to unpack and organize our home. I have been working from home virtually and having online meetings with the team, with three little kids that are running around the house. We have met our new neighbors through windows and we are excited for some of the restrictions to be lifted so our daughters can run around outside.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about being at Utah State and living in Cache Valley?
Norton: Becoming a True Aggie.
Q: What is your favorite way to fill your free time outside of coaching?
Norton: I love spending time with my family. A lot of my free-time activities are my daughters' free-time activities. We enjoy spending time in the outdoors, at parks and playing sports and games. One of my daughters is really into cooking shows, so we have been having fun creating, cooking and trying some new recipes.
Q: What is your favorite vacation you've ever been on?
Norton: Before my family and I moved to Logan, my daughters mentioned at dinner, on a whim, "Let's go to Disneyland." I looked at my wife and told the girls to go pack. They were all shocked and really excited. We left the next morning, went to Disneyland, and drove home the following day. It was a spur of the moment trip with a lot of driving, but it was well worth it. It was a great day at Disneyland, short lines and wonderful weather. My daughters loved seeing the characters, eating snacks and going on the rides. My wife and I loved the looks on their faces when they saw their favorite characters.
Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
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