Volleyball legend Misty May-Treanor is stepping away from Long Beach City College after four years as the Vikings’ Director of Volleyball and head women’s and beach coach.
“Every challenge Misty has had in life she has met and excelled,” said Interim Athletics Director Bill Husak in a statement. “She was a champion indoor and beach volleyball player, and Olympian. She came to LBCC and proved that she was also an outstanding teacher and coach of volleyball.”
May-Treanor compiled a 79-22 overall record coaching the indoor women’s volleyball team, earning two conference Coach of the Year awards and two conference titles, as well as qualifying for the state playoffs every year. On the beach, the Vikings were 37-13 with a top three finish in the state championship tournament every year.
For May-Treanor, the choice to step away was a simple one.
“I’m looking forward to this time, I’m not looking at any other coaching jobs,” she said. “It’s nice being able to be home.”
May-Treanor, her husband Matt, and their three children recently moved out of their Long Beach home, and the grind of working hadn’t left much time for anything.
“We hadn’t really unpacked from the move because I was in the gym all the time,” she said. “It’s the indoor season that’s a grind. I’m at a point in my life where I’ve been going going as an athlete and a coach, and now it’s time for myself and my family. I want to not be on a timeclock and be able to say we’re going camping this weekend. I want to spend time with my dad outside of a gym, not just working with athletes together.”
May-Treanor acknowledged that the COVID-19 shutdown has strengthened her resolve that she’d made the right decision.
“It’s not that it’s a wakeup call, it’s just a reminder,” she said. “I’m talking to Kerry and my Long Beach State teammates, reconnecting with people I haven’t had time for.”
May-Treanor said that in addition to spending more time with her family, she’s also looking forward to having more time to volunteer with organizations. With the commute to her family’s new home in Orange County and the rigors of a coaching schedule, she wasn’t left with enough time to keep up her usual pace in recent months.
“Now with the Century Club or other organizations, I’ll be around more because I don’t have to be gone all day,” she said.
LBCC also announced that one of May-Treanor’s assistant coaches, Tyler Jackson, would take over as the interim coach for the upcoming season, a move May-Treanor was excited for.
“We were able to do a good job and get them going again, get them back to the playoffs,” she said. “You don’t want to hand it to the next person and just leave it; it’s not fair to the athletes to start from square one. With Tyler, there’ll be no panic.”
Jackson is a Lakewood and Long Beach State alum who was successful indoor and on the beach before transitioning into coaching. While coaching for May-Treanor, Jackson earned a Master’s Degree that would allow her to take the job permanently if the interim season goes well.
“Becoming the head coach is an opportunity that I am truly excited to embark on for this upcoming season,” said Jackson in a statement. “My goal is to have a lasting impact on the program. I will always be grateful for Misty paving the way for a young woman like myself.”
