Santa Clara University

9th year
UC Santa Barbara ’91

Record at Santa Clara (through 2026 season): 92-121 (8 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 ninth year with the Santa Clara University beach volleyball program in 2026-27. He joined the Broncos in February 2019 as an associate head coach with the indoor volleyball program and immediately took over the beach team in the spring of 2019. Alzina was elevated to the role of full-time head coach for the beach program ahead of the 2023 season. 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 23 all-West Coast Conference awards under Alzina, including four first team honors, nine second team, and 10 all-freshman accolades. Santa Clara has posted five consecutive double-digit-wins seasons under Alzina, including a program-record 23 wins in 2026. The program had only one such campaign in its entire prior existence (since 2013). Alzina has guided the Broncos to earning 44 WCC all-academic nods (eight all-academic team selections and 36 honorable mentions) and seven consecutive AVCA Team Academic Awards since 2020.

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
2019 - Present