Tyson Norton

Tyson Norton is the Head Volleyball Coach at Akron University.

Tyson Norton was named the head women's volleyball coach at the University of Akron on April 7, 2022.

Under Norton’s guidance, Eliska Vytiskova rose to 9th all-time in career assists while Karleighana Jones broke the single-season hitting percentage in 2024.

2023 saw the Zips go 13-16 overall and 8-10 in the MAC while Eliska Vytiskova was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.

"Tyson is a tremendous addition to the University of Akron," said Guthrie. "He is a man of tremendous integrity, passion and is more than capable of bringing our program to a level of respect and prominence within the MAC and regionally. Moreover, Tyson embraces the core academic values and the drive to provide a top-notch student-athlete experience that we expect at UA. We’re excited for the future of Akron Volleyball.”

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be the Head Volleyball Coach at the University of Akron,” said Norton. “I want to thank President Dr. Gary L. Miller, Athletic Director Guthrie, and SWA Wallgren for their belief in me and for welcoming my family to the Zips. The synergy and alignment within the department is incredible. There is so much momentum being built within this athletic department, and I am excited to build something special here. I have had the privilege to be mentored by and work with some of the best coaches around who have taught me so much. I am truly blessed for this opportunity. I am excited to get to campus, start training our team, and recruiting for the future. Go Zips!”

Norton arrived at Akron after serving as the associate head coach for the Utah State volleyball team. Norton has 15 years of experience as a collegiate coach and spent the last two seasons as associate head coach at Utah State. In 2021, he helped lead the Aggies to their first Mountain West regular season championship as Utah State posted a 22-9 overall record and 14-4 record in Mountain West play. Playing a condensed spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aggies posted a 5-10 record in the first year under the new coaching staff. Norton oversaw the Utah State defense, and served as the camp coordinator.

Prior to Utah State, he spent the 2019 season as the head coach at Gavilan College in Gilroy, Calif. Before his head coaching stint, Norton was on the coaching staff at Nevada for the 2015-18 seasons. He helped lead the Wolf Pack student-athletes to six all-Mountain West honors, 33 academic all-MW selections and a perfect Academic Progress Rate score. Norton was involved in all training aspects of the team, as he worked on positioning, match philosophies and game planning. In addition, he was involved in recruiting and all video analysis for the team.

Before Nevada, Norton had two different stints as an assistant coach with the UC Santa Barbara men’s team (2012-2015 and 2008-09). He oversaw daily practice plans and player development, coaching four AVCA All-Americans, 15 all-MPSF honorees and 18 academic all-MPSF selections. Norton was also heavily involved in recruiting, travel coordination and fundraising for the Gauchos. Prior to his stop at UCSB, Norton spent one season as an assistant coach at Golden West College (2007-08) in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Norton played libero at Golden West (2003-04), and later transfered to UC Santa Barbara (2005-07). During his senior season, he averaged 1.21 digs per set, helping the Gauchos to a 20-12 record and an appearance in the semifinals of MPSF Tournament. Norton graduated from UCSB in 2007 with a degree in communications. He also has master’s degrees in coaching and athletic administration, as well as exercise science, both from Concordia University. He and his wife, Sarah, have three daughters, Riley, Finley and Charley.