Santa Clara University

4th Year as head coach (8th year overall with program)
UC Santa Barbara ’91

Record at Santa Clara (through 2025 season): 49-53 (3 seasons)
Career College Coaching Record: Same

HONORS & AWARDS
- National Team Coach for 8 different countries (including USA)
- Qualified Greece women's beach team for 2000 Sydney Olympics
- WInningest Coach in AVP history (over 1,000 match victories on tour)
- Santa Clara Beach Volleyball All-Time Winningest Coach

Feature -- Broncos in Paris: Alzina's Beach Volleyball Coaching Reaches Olympics

Jeff Alzina is a legendary figure in the world of beach volleyball with over 25 years of experience coaching both beach and indoor volleyball. Alzina has worked extensively across the last four decades at all levels of the game, from club and high school all the way to the professional and Olympic level, playing a pivotal role in shaping the careers of top players and elevating the sport worldwide. He has established himself as a true pioneer in the sport, known for developing elite athletes, leading national teams, winning championships, and elevating the level of play both domestically and internationally since 1998. With a master’s in sport psychology from Long Beach State and a bachelor’s in social psychology from UC Santa Barbara, Alzina combines a scientific approach with a passion for mentoring athletes.

Alzina is in his eighth year with the Santa Clara University beach volleyball program in 2025-26, his fourth as head coach of the Broncos after spending four seasons (2019-22) as the team's associate head coach. He previously held coaching roles at both UCLA and Long Beach State, winning an NCAA national championship with the Bruins in 2018, and making a trip to the NCAA championship with LBSU in 2017.

The Broncos have earned as many first team all-West Coast Conference awards (two) under Alzina's leadership (2023-25) than they did in the previous seven seasons (two, 2016-22). Santa Clara has posted three consecutive double-digit-wins seasons under Alzina, including a program-record 18 wins in both 2023 and '25. The program had only two such campaigns in its entire prior existence (since 2013). Alzina has guided the team to earning 17 WCC all-academic nods (four all-academic team selections and 13 honorable mentions), and 16 all-WCC Selections (Two first team, six second team, and eight all-freshman selections) in only three years.

He has an extensive background in professional and Olympic beach volleyball, and is the winningest coach in AVP history with over 1,000 match victories in his time on tour. Alzina has served as a national team coach for eight different countries, including the United States. He coached the USA Men’s National Team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, led the USA Volleyball Elite Development Group (2012-17), and was the head coach for the 2017 and '18 FIVB U19 and U21 USOC World Championship teams. His international coaching experience includes stints with the Greek Volleyball Federation, where he qualified the women's team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Greece’s first-ever appearance in beach volleyball. He also was the national teams head coach for the United Kingdom in 2007.

Alzina spent two stints as an assistant coach with the women's indoor volleyball program at Cal State Los Angeles. In nine years with the Golden Eagles, Alzina coached five All-Americans and 19 all-conference players while helping lead CSULA to the Division II Final Four in 2005.

A prolific instructor, Alzina has worked with over 600 professionals, including 35 Olympians and more than 60 NCAA All-Americans. His work has extended into the development of beach volleyball programs at the FIVB, seven different national volleyball federations, as well as the high school and club levels, and he’s been an influential voice in coaching education through AVCA presentations and coaching DVDs.

His deep understanding of the game, along with his commitment to fostering athletic development, has earned him respect as one of the most influential coaches in beach volleyball history. His innovative strategies and dedication to the sport continue to inspire coaches and players alike.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ALZINA...

"Jeff is an experienced coach and teacher who has worked with a wide variety of athletes from beginners to Olympians. He has an exceptional rapport with the student-athletes and knows what it takes to win championships."

Erin Lindsey
Santa Clara Volleyball Head Coach


Head Coach, Santa Clara
2023 - Present