A coaching legend in the making: Jaylen Reyes' journey to the top!
In a thrilling announcement, head coach Dani Busboom Kelly revealed that Jaylen Reyes, a true volleyball mastermind, has been promoted to associate head coach for the Nebraska volleyball program. This news comes after an impressive eight-year tenure as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, during which the Huskers dominated the court, reaching the NCAA Championship match three times and claiming Big Ten titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
But here's where it gets controversial... In 2025, Nebraska achieved an unprecedented feat, finishing the regular season unbeaten for the third time in its history and racking up an incredible 33-match win streak, second only to its own record! The Huskers' defense was simply unbeatable, with a .351 hitting percentage and an opponent hitting percentage of .129, the best in the nation.
"Jaylen's impact on our program is undeniable," Busboom Kelly said. "His passion and work ethic are unmatched, and we're thrilled to have him continue his journey with us."
Reyes, in his humble response, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a successful program and the support he's received from the state of Nebraska and its loyal fans.
Over the years, Reyes has played a pivotal role in establishing Nebraska as a defensive powerhouse, consistently ranking among the nation's top defensive teams. His recruiting prowess is equally impressive, having landed the nation's top-ranked recruiting classes for 2021, 2023, and 2025.
In 2022 and 2023, Nebraska's defense was on fire, leading the nation with the lowest opponent hitting percentages. The Huskers' success continued in 2024, reaching the NCAA Semifinals and repeating as Big Ten champions.
And this is the part most people miss... Reyes' impact extends beyond Nebraska. He's been an integral part of the U.S. National Team, serving as an assistant coach for the U21 National Team that won gold at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship in Toronto.
Prior to Nebraska, Reyes honed his coaching skills with the BYU men's volleyball team, where he helped the Cougars reach the NCAA Championship match twice and the NCAA semifinals once.
A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Reyes comes from a volleyball-loving family. His father, Tino Reyes, was the head women's volleyball coach at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and spent 17 years as an associate head coach for the Hawaii men's volleyball team.
Reyes' coaching experience is extensive, having served as the lead coach at the Gold Medal Squared Clinic and as an assistant coach with the SCVA High Performance Team, winning silver and bronze at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships.
A true volleyball enthusiast, Reyes received his bachelor's degree in exercise science from BYU, where he was the starting libero for the Cougars and an AVCA All-America honorable mention in 2015.
So, what do you think? Is Reyes' promotion well-deserved? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss the future of Nebraska volleyball!
