Texas Tech volleyball dismisses head coach less than 10 games into season - USA Today

Texas Tech volleyball (6-2) will continue the season without head coach Tony Graystone.

On Sunday, the school announced Graystone was out as head coach after 11 seasons with the program and less than 10 games into the season. A reason for his departure was not immediately given.

"Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced Sunday the immediate dismissal of head volleyball coach Tony Graystone," Texas Tech said in a statement on Sept. 13. "Hocutt has appointed associate head coach Alisa Blair as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season."

Blair, who is in her fourth season at Texas Tech, is expected to make her debut as Red Raiders interim head coach on Tuesday, Sept. 15, when the team hosts Tarleton State (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+). She will be joined by assistant Mikayla Ell, who is serving as interim associate head coach for the balance of the season. Blair joined the Red Raiders coaching staff following the 2022 season. Before joining the program, she was the head coach at Abilene Christian University.

USA TODAY reached out for comment from Texas Tech Athletics. The department pointed USA TODAY to the statement the university shared Sunday.

Graystone joined the team in 2016. He ranked third all-time in wins in program history. He got an extension through the 2026 season in 2022.

"Coach Graystone and his staff have restored our volleyball program as a contender in the Big 12 Conference and as (an) NCAA Tournament participant," Hocutt said at the time. "We look forward to continued success under his guidance."

In 2025, Texas Tech was 10-20 under Graystone and ended the season on an eight-game losing streak.