UCLA Athletics has appointed Matt Werle as the new head coach for the university’s women’s volleyball program. Werle joins UCLA after serving as Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Kansas, where he contributed to the team’s appearance in the Sweet 16 during the 2025 season. Under his guidance, Kansas hosted early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, securing wins against High Point and No. 17 Miami before being eliminated by top-seeded Nebraska.
Werle previously led Grand Canyon University’s men’s volleyball program for ten seasons, achieving a record of 154-93. In 2024, he coached Grand Canyon to its first-ever No. 1 national ranking and mentored the program’s first AVCA First Team All-American. That year, he was recognized as both MPSF and AVCA National Coach of the Year after guiding the team to its first MPSF Championship and NCAA Tournament victory.
“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond, Senior Associate Athletics Director Dr. Kenny Donaldson, and the entire UCLA Athletic Department for the opportunity to lead this prestigious program,” Werle said. “My family and I are truly humbled and honored, and I do not take this responsibility lightly. I have long admired UCLA Athletics and am excited to build upon the excellence and tradition already in place. The character, competitiveness, and potential of this team are incredibly inspiring, and I look forward to working together to achieve our shared goals. Go Bruins!”
Martin Jarmond, The Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics at UCLA, stated: “Matt Werle is a proven winner who develops student-athletes. He understands what it takes to build a successful program, having led Grand Canyon to its first MPSF championship and first NCAA Tournament win. He has won at every level as a coach and as a player, and I have confidence that he will keep this program on an upward trajectory. We are excited to welcome Matt, his wife and his two children to Westwood!”
In 2023, Werle’s Grand Canyon team achieved its best season with a 22-8 record while earning its inaugural NCAA Tournament berth; five players received AVCA All-America honors that year.
Senior Associate Athletics Director Kenny Donaldson highlighted Werle’s reputation beyond his achievements: “Matt’s coaching résumé and accolades speak for themselves, but what truly impressed me was his character and the way people spoke about the impact he had on the lives of the student-athletes he came into contact with,” Donaldson said. “I am confident that our student-athletes will develop and be successful both on and beyond the court under Matt’s leadership.”
Before joining Division I programs full-time, Werle coached women’s volleyball at Mesa Community College from 2014 through 2016 where he oversaw all aspects of operations including training sessions, match planning, academic support services for athletes as well as recruitment efforts.
Werle began his coaching career at Grand Canyon as a graduate assistant between 2011–2014. His background includes experience with USA Volleyball—he served as head coach for both NORCECA Championship Cup teams along with other roles within USA High Performance initiatives.
Originally from Meadville, Pennsylvania—and born in San Mateo—Werle brings experience from competing internationally; he was Team USA’s starting setter at the 2007 Junior World Championships before playing professionally in Puerto Rico with Naranjito Changos.
He attended Juniata College where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame after becoming a four-time All-American setter on three Division III championship teams—a unique distinction coupled with winning both AVCA Player of Year (as an athlete) & Coach of Year (as head coach).
“Lastly,” Werle added regarding his time in Kansas: “I would like to thank Matt Ulmer [Kansas Women’s Volleyball Head Coach], Travis Goff [Kansas Director of Athletics], Nicole Corcoran [Kansas Deputy Athletics Director for Sports Administration and Student-Athlete Well-Being/Senior Woman Administrator], and all of Kansas Athletics for welcoming me in Lawrence with open arms. Lawrence and Kansas Athletics will forever have a place in my family’s heart.”
Werle holds an MBA focused on leadership from Grand Canyon University alongside undergraduate degrees in business administration & sports management from Juniata College.
His wife Sarah Clause is also experienced within collegiate athletics having competed herself at Long Beach State & Arizona State; together they have two children named Palmer & Krew.
