Ball State University Athletics
Brian Hogg Named 2026 AVCA Thirty Under 30 College Award Honoree
March 11, 2026 | Men's Volleyball
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Ball State men's volleyball assistant coach and recruitment coordinator Brian Hogg has been named as an honoree of the American Volleyball Association (AVCA) 2026 Thirty Under 30 College Award.
The Thirty Under 30 program recognizes up-and-coming coaches in different sectors of the sport who serve in a range of roles, from head coach to volunteer assistant to club director. Each of this year's recipients had to be age 30 or under as of Dec. 31, 2025, to qualify for the award.
This year's list of Thirty Under 30 College Award recipients includes women's and men's coaches who are rising leaders in the sport. These honorees work hard and are passionate about teaching, helping players reach their full potential, and growing the game at the collegiate level.
Career Accomplishments to Date:
45-6 overall record at Lincoln Memorial University as a head coach (two seasons)
2025 Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) Coach of the Year
2024 Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) Coach of the Year
2023 USA Volleyball Boys Indoor Coach of the Year
2022 USA Volleyball Boys National Championship
Coaching Roles:
Assistant Men's Volleyball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator- Ball State University- August 2025-Present
Head Men's Volleyball Coach- Lincoln Memorial University- January 2024-August 2025
U19/U17 Southern Region Volleyball Boys All-Star Team Head Coach- July 2023-Present
Assistant Men's Volleyball Coach- Lincoln Memorial University- October 2022-December 2023
Volunteer Women's Assistant Coach- Western Kentucky University- August 2021-October 2022
Director/Head Coach- C2 Attack Volleyball Club- August 2018-Present
What made you decide to get into coaching volleyball?
"I decided to coach volleyball because I have always loved teaching and instructing others. I come from a lineage of teachers and leaders across different professions, which naturally shaped my passion for helping people grow. Coaching allows me to combine that background with my love for the game by focusing on development, learning, and improvement. I enjoy guiding athletes through challenges, helping them build confidence and teaching skills that extend beyond volleyball. Most importantly, coaching gives me the opportunity to be a positive role model and mentor for anyone who needs encouragement, leadership and support along their journey."
What are your career goals in the sport?
"I personally don't have a set place or institution that I dream of coaching at, but as I continue to learn and grow in my craft, I want my career to follow that trend and eventually place me in the position to be coaching at the highest possible level; collegiately or professionally."
Which coaches have influenced you the most?
"I have been fortunate to learn from a host of coaches who have helped shape my career and approach to the game. Cullum Miller and Christine McDaniel first gave me my love for volleyball and helped build the foundation of my passion for the sport. Travis Hudson played a major role in developing my love for collegiate coaching while showing me how to do the job the right way, with integrity and professionalism. John Cash has also had a significant impact by helping me find my voice as a coach and develop confidence in my leadership and communication style."
What do you enjoy most about your coaching job?
"What I enjoy most about coaching is the people and the moments that come with the journey. I value the memories that are created through the ups and downs of a season, the hard conversations that help athletes grow, and the lightbulb moments that finally appear after the 1,000th rep clicks. Those moments of development are incredibly rewarding. Most of all, I enjoy the athletes I get to interact with every day. Their personalities, work ethic, and growth both on and off the court are what make coaching so meaningful to me."
The Thirty Under 30 program recognizes up-and-coming coaches in different sectors of the sport who serve in a range of roles, from head coach to volunteer assistant to club director. Each of this year's recipients had to be age 30 or under as of Dec. 31, 2025, to qualify for the award.
This year's list of Thirty Under 30 College Award recipients includes women's and men's coaches who are rising leaders in the sport. These honorees work hard and are passionate about teaching, helping players reach their full potential, and growing the game at the collegiate level.
Career Accomplishments to Date:
45-6 overall record at Lincoln Memorial University as a head coach (two seasons)
2025 Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) Coach of the Year
2024 Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) Coach of the Year
2023 USA Volleyball Boys Indoor Coach of the Year
2022 USA Volleyball Boys National Championship
Coaching Roles:
Assistant Men's Volleyball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator- Ball State University- August 2025-Present
Head Men's Volleyball Coach- Lincoln Memorial University- January 2024-August 2025
U19/U17 Southern Region Volleyball Boys All-Star Team Head Coach- July 2023-Present
Assistant Men's Volleyball Coach- Lincoln Memorial University- October 2022-December 2023
Volunteer Women's Assistant Coach- Western Kentucky University- August 2021-October 2022
Director/Head Coach- C2 Attack Volleyball Club- August 2018-Present
What made you decide to get into coaching volleyball?
"I decided to coach volleyball because I have always loved teaching and instructing others. I come from a lineage of teachers and leaders across different professions, which naturally shaped my passion for helping people grow. Coaching allows me to combine that background with my love for the game by focusing on development, learning, and improvement. I enjoy guiding athletes through challenges, helping them build confidence and teaching skills that extend beyond volleyball. Most importantly, coaching gives me the opportunity to be a positive role model and mentor for anyone who needs encouragement, leadership and support along their journey."
What are your career goals in the sport?
"I personally don't have a set place or institution that I dream of coaching at, but as I continue to learn and grow in my craft, I want my career to follow that trend and eventually place me in the position to be coaching at the highest possible level; collegiately or professionally."
Which coaches have influenced you the most?
"I have been fortunate to learn from a host of coaches who have helped shape my career and approach to the game. Cullum Miller and Christine McDaniel first gave me my love for volleyball and helped build the foundation of my passion for the sport. Travis Hudson played a major role in developing my love for collegiate coaching while showing me how to do the job the right way, with integrity and professionalism. John Cash has also had a significant impact by helping me find my voice as a coach and develop confidence in my leadership and communication style."
What do you enjoy most about your coaching job?
"What I enjoy most about coaching is the people and the moments that come with the journey. I value the memories that are created through the ups and downs of a season, the hard conversations that help athletes grow, and the lightbulb moments that finally appear after the 1,000th rep clicks. Those moments of development are incredibly rewarding. Most of all, I enjoy the athletes I get to interact with every day. Their personalities, work ethic, and growth both on and off the court are what make coaching so meaningful to me."
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