Brent Hilliard

Biography

San Diego State Director of Athletics John David Wicker ushered in a new era for the Aztec volleyball team with the hiring of Brent Hilliard as the fifth head coach in program history on Jan. 31, 2020. Now entering his sixth season on The Mesa, Hilliard continues his mission to return the Aztecs to elite status in the Mountain West. Hilliard guided the Scarlet and Black to a breakthrough campaign in 2024, with the Aztecs posting a 20-10 record, their highest victory total since 2012. In addition, SDSU clinched a spot in the Mountain West Championship as the No. 5 seed after logging its first winning record in conference play since 2017 with an 11-7 mark. The Aztecs knocked off fourth-seeded Fresno State in the first round of the tournament before falling to eventual champion Colorado State in the semifinals. During the regular season, Hilliard’s charges defeated Colorado State and Wyoming in consecutive matches for the first time since 2012. The Aztecs also toppled the Cowgirls in Laramie for the third straight year to complete their first season sweep of Wyoming since 2011. Under Hilliard’s tutelage, graduate transfer Shea Rubright led the nation with a school-record .461 hitting percentage in her lone season at San Diego State to earn Mountain West Newcomer of the Year honors, just the second Aztec to receive that distinction after Michelle Waber was recognized in 2012. Additionally, opposite hitter Taylor Underwood continued to thrive in Hilliard’s system, meriting all-con