SPEARFISH, S.D.-Black Hills State University has announced on Tuesday morning that former 2-time WAC Coach of the Year Grayson DuBose has been named as the new volleyball coach. DuBose has spent the last three years as an Associate Head Coach for Eastern Washington.
“We are excited to have found the right leader for our volleyball program—someone who not only possesses the skills and knowledge to guide our team, but also aligns with the values and culture at Black Hills State University,” Black Hills State Athletic Director Mark Nore said. “I am thrilled to welcome Coach DuBose to our BH Family. He is a proven winner both on and off the court, recognizes the potential within our program, and has a clear vision for its future. We are deeply grateful for his decision to join us and are excited about the direction he will lead our team and our university.”
DuBose spent the last three seasons with Eastern Washington and helped produce the Eagles best Big Sky conference record since 2016 going 8-8 this year in Big Sky play. DuBose worked with middle blockers during his time at EWU. In doing so, DuBose helped middle blocker Bri Gunderson earn First Team All-Big Sky this year and Second Team All-Big Sky in 2023.
“There are a few things that excite me about this job, first and foremost, the people. When I first spoke with Mark Nore, I could feel the enthusiasm and love he has for this institution,” DuBose said. “Then I was able to meet with President Elliott and he was able to create a vision of where he saw the University heading. I was also able to meet with Kristin Carmichael and again the passion she has for the Yellow Jackets was palpable. The people make the difference. Secondly, the facilities and the support from the community is a good deal.”
Prior to Eastern Washington, DuBose was the longest tenured head coach in Utah State history. He spent 13 seasons at the helm from 2006-19. He won 2 WAC Coach of the Year Awards in 2007 and 2012. He finished as the second winningest coach in Utah State history with 187 wins, all while producing 25 all-conference players and 115 academic all-conference Players. DuBose had his first ever NCAA Tournament appearance as Head Coach in 2010, where the Aggies won their first ever WAC Championship going 24-9 and upsetting Hawai’i, who had won 11 WAC Championships in a row at that point.
“I have been a volleyball coach for over 30 years and have 20 years of D1 coaching experience. I am looking forward to learning about the D2 world and figuring out how to create a student athlete experience that will allow them to create and leave a legacy.”
Before becoming the head coach at USU, DuBose was an assistant coach for the men’s team at BYU. During his time there he helped the Cougars earn a national title in 2004 and a runner-up finish in 2003.
In the years before BYU, he spent time as an assistant for New Mexico and Utah State, where he helped lead Utah State to their first ever NCAA Tournament in 2000, and their first ever NCAA Tournament win defeating Missouri that year.
“I have been in touch with all of the current and future student athletes, and I consider myself fortunate to be around such quality human beings. My wife, Lenonnie, and I are looking forward to being on campus and getting to work. Go Jackets!!”
DuBose graduated from BYU with a degree in history in 1993 and then received his teaching certificate from Utah State in 1995. He and his wife, Lenonnie, have three children, Kline, Cassandra, and Jackson.
