University of Tennessee Athletics
Head Coach Eve Rackham Watt Announces Staff Changes Ahead of 2026 Season
May 27, 2026 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Volleyball has announced staff changes ahead of the 2026 season. Associate Head Coach Tyler Adams will transition into a new role for the program as the Director of Player Personnel & Analytics. With the change, Tennessee has added Brian Magbitang as an assistant coach ahead of the season.
Â
"We are thrilled to welcome Brian and his family to our program", said Rackham Watt. "I have known "BMag" for many years and have watched him evolve professionally, benefiting from tremendous mentorship. He brings valuable experience, a rigorous work ethic, and a commitment to excellence that will elevate our team."
Â
Adams has spent the past eight years with the Lady Vol volleyball program, serving as both an assistant coach and associate head coach. In his new role as Director of Player Personnel & Analytics, Adams will work closely with the staff to oversee scouting and practice planning for the program. He will also assist with roster construction, recruiting strategy and player development. As college athletics continues to evolve, Adams will help support the program's NIL efforts and navigate the implementation of the new revenue-sharing model.
Â
"I am incredibly happy for Tyler, his family, and our program", said Rackham Watt. "I am also extremely grateful to our administration for seeing the advantage this position provides. Tyler and I have worked alongside each other for 16 seasons and I fully believe in the value he brings on staff. I am excited we will continue to work together and move Tennessee Volleyball forward."
Â
Over his eight years on the staff, Adams has played an important role in the success of the Tennessee volleyball program. Tennessee has earned sixth berths into the NCAA Tournament, including in each of the last five seasons. In 2023, the Lady Vols reached the regional semifinals, the furthest the program has advanced in the tournament since it reached the Final Four back in 2005. In his eight years on staff, nine student-athletes have earned 12 total AVCA All-American honors. Also, during that span, Tennessee has had 14 all-conference performers and 16 AVCA All-Region honorees.
Â
"I'm excited for this new opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with our staff to elevate our team and program", said Adams. "Thank you to Eve and the administration for creating this position and recognizing the impact it can have on our student-athletes."
Â
With 14 years of collegiate experience, Magbitang comes to Rocky Top after previously serving on the staff at UNLV. While at UNLV he coached Jaida Harris to Mountain West Newcomer of the Year honors in 2025, becoming just the second player in program history to achieve that feat. Under his guidance, libero Caleigh King eclipsed 1,000 career digs to become just the seventh player in school history to do so while also ranking top ten all-time in digs and aces. Two other UNLV players earned Mountain West accolades under Magbitang's tutelage, with Chloe Thomas and Basia Latos doing so in 2024.
Â
"I want to thank Head Coach Eve Rackham Watt for the opportunity to join her outstanding staff and program", said Magbitang. "It is truly an honor to become part of the Lady Vol Volleyball team, and my family and I are excited to call Rocky Top home. This is an exciting time for the sport of volleyball, and Tennessee consistently competes among the nation's best in one of the premier conferences in the country, the SEC. I look forward to getting to work with this team and helping build toward a successful 2026 season."
Â
Before joining the staff at UNLV, Magbitang served as the Video & Administrative Coordinator at Nebraska. His work was instrumental to the program's National Championship runner-up finishes both in 2021 and 2023, as well as a Big Ten Conference Championship in 2023. During his tenure with the Cornhuskers, the team produced a 101-19 (.842) record. Over his tenure the program produced 11 AVCA All-Americans, 17 All-Big Ten selections, and 19 AVCA All-Region honorees.
Â
Prior to working at Nebraska, Magbitang served as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts from 2018-19 before stepping in as interim head coach. While with the Golden Eagles, Magbitang helped coach Cece Madison to All-Summit League First team honors in 2019 where she ranked 35th in the country with 481 kills.
Â
Magbitang got his start in the college game at Wichita State, where he served on staff for six years including two as a graduate assistant. While with the Shockers, the program accumulated a 152-48 record with a .760 winning percentage. The program reached the NCAA Tournament five times during that six year stretch, winning four NCAA Tournament matches and reaching the program's first-ever NCAA Regional Semifinal. WSU claimed two Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, two MVC Tournament titles, and a perfect 20-0 record in the American Athletic Conference in 2017.He coached seven AVCA All-Americans and 15 all-conference players, with three athletes receiving the conference player of the year award.
Â
Before working in volleyball, Magbitang served eight years in the United State Air Force as a Technical Sergeant serving two overseas tours of duty. He earned two Air Force Achievement medals and was awarded an accelerated promotion given to less than five percent of all USAF members. He graduated from Wichita State with a degree in exercise science, while also earning his master's in the same discipline in 2019. He is married to McKenzie and has two daughters, Tatum Jo and Stevie Bee, and they are expecting another daughter at the end of June this summer.
Â
"We are thrilled to welcome Brian and his family to our program", said Rackham Watt. "I have known "BMag" for many years and have watched him evolve professionally, benefiting from tremendous mentorship. He brings valuable experience, a rigorous work ethic, and a commitment to excellence that will elevate our team."
Â
Adams has spent the past eight years with the Lady Vol volleyball program, serving as both an assistant coach and associate head coach. In his new role as Director of Player Personnel & Analytics, Adams will work closely with the staff to oversee scouting and practice planning for the program. He will also assist with roster construction, recruiting strategy and player development. As college athletics continues to evolve, Adams will help support the program's NIL efforts and navigate the implementation of the new revenue-sharing model.
Â
"I am incredibly happy for Tyler, his family, and our program", said Rackham Watt. "I am also extremely grateful to our administration for seeing the advantage this position provides. Tyler and I have worked alongside each other for 16 seasons and I fully believe in the value he brings on staff. I am excited we will continue to work together and move Tennessee Volleyball forward."
Â
Over his eight years on the staff, Adams has played an important role in the success of the Tennessee volleyball program. Tennessee has earned sixth berths into the NCAA Tournament, including in each of the last five seasons. In 2023, the Lady Vols reached the regional semifinals, the furthest the program has advanced in the tournament since it reached the Final Four back in 2005. In his eight years on staff, nine student-athletes have earned 12 total AVCA All-American honors. Also, during that span, Tennessee has had 14 all-conference performers and 16 AVCA All-Region honorees.
Â
"I'm excited for this new opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with our staff to elevate our team and program", said Adams. "Thank you to Eve and the administration for creating this position and recognizing the impact it can have on our student-athletes."
Â
With 14 years of collegiate experience, Magbitang comes to Rocky Top after previously serving on the staff at UNLV. While at UNLV he coached Jaida Harris to Mountain West Newcomer of the Year honors in 2025, becoming just the second player in program history to achieve that feat. Under his guidance, libero Caleigh King eclipsed 1,000 career digs to become just the seventh player in school history to do so while also ranking top ten all-time in digs and aces. Two other UNLV players earned Mountain West accolades under Magbitang's tutelage, with Chloe Thomas and Basia Latos doing so in 2024.
Â
"I want to thank Head Coach Eve Rackham Watt for the opportunity to join her outstanding staff and program", said Magbitang. "It is truly an honor to become part of the Lady Vol Volleyball team, and my family and I are excited to call Rocky Top home. This is an exciting time for the sport of volleyball, and Tennessee consistently competes among the nation's best in one of the premier conferences in the country, the SEC. I look forward to getting to work with this team and helping build toward a successful 2026 season."
Â
Before joining the staff at UNLV, Magbitang served as the Video & Administrative Coordinator at Nebraska. His work was instrumental to the program's National Championship runner-up finishes both in 2021 and 2023, as well as a Big Ten Conference Championship in 2023. During his tenure with the Cornhuskers, the team produced a 101-19 (.842) record. Over his tenure the program produced 11 AVCA All-Americans, 17 All-Big Ten selections, and 19 AVCA All-Region honorees.
Â
Prior to working at Nebraska, Magbitang served as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts from 2018-19 before stepping in as interim head coach. While with the Golden Eagles, Magbitang helped coach Cece Madison to All-Summit League First team honors in 2019 where she ranked 35th in the country with 481 kills.
Â
Magbitang got his start in the college game at Wichita State, where he served on staff for six years including two as a graduate assistant. While with the Shockers, the program accumulated a 152-48 record with a .760 winning percentage. The program reached the NCAA Tournament five times during that six year stretch, winning four NCAA Tournament matches and reaching the program's first-ever NCAA Regional Semifinal. WSU claimed two Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, two MVC Tournament titles, and a perfect 20-0 record in the American Athletic Conference in 2017.He coached seven AVCA All-Americans and 15 all-conference players, with three athletes receiving the conference player of the year award.
Â
Before working in volleyball, Magbitang served eight years in the United State Air Force as a Technical Sergeant serving two overseas tours of duty. He earned two Air Force Achievement medals and was awarded an accelerated promotion given to less than five percent of all USAF members. He graduated from Wichita State with a degree in exercise science, while also earning his master's in the same discipline in 2019. He is married to McKenzie and has two daughters, Tatum Jo and Stevie Bee, and they are expecting another daughter at the end of June this summer.
Everything Orange S3 | Hayden Kubik (Volleyball)
Friday, December 05
VB | Eve Rackham Watt Media Availability (12.2.25)
Tuesday, December 02
VB | Hayden Kubik Media Availability (12.2.25)
Tuesday, December 02
VB | Caroline Kerr Media Availability (12.2.25)
Tuesday, December 02
