Beach Volleyball
Brunner, Theo
Theo Brunner
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- tbrunner@athletics.ucla.edu
UCLA head women's beach volleyball coach Jenny Johnson Jordan announced the hiring of AVP beach volleyball star, Theo Brunner, as the Bruins' assistant coach effective immediately (July 8, 2025). Brunner replaces Jose Loiola, who was named just the second head coach in the history of South Carolina's beach volleyball program on May 23.
While this is Brunner's first collegiate post, he currently coaches some of the world's youngest and brightest stars in the game. He currently serves as the head coach for USA Olympic team members, Miles Partain and Andy Benesh. Additionally, he has served as a coach at Vibe Volleyball Lab in El Segundo, Calif., from 2020-23, where he coached private lessons for athletes ranging from 8-18, focusing on long-term skill and technical development of players. He also served as the head coach for the USC Men's Club Volleyball Team from September 2019 to March of 2020.
"Theo is no stranger to elite beach volleyball with his playing career and as a coach," Johnson Jordan said. "He is a true student of the game and I know that he will bring a fresh perspective to the team from his own career. We are beyond excited to have him join the team and our Bruin family."
Throughout his career, he has provided Individual training sessions and mentorship to professional and amateur beach volleyball athletes. He has also coached numerous beach and Indoor volleyball clinics across the country and during the 2024 Olympics in Paris, he supported USA Beach National Team Scout, Brian Hurler, in scouting for the Paris Olympic Games.
Brunner was a standout indoor player at UC Santa Barbara, earning First-Team All-America honors in 2007 and was named team captain of the Gauchos in 2008. He played indoor volleyball professionally for Paok in Greece, as well as Ravenna and Verona in the Italian A1 League (2010-12).
His first foray into beach volleyball actually happened in 2006 at the urging of UCSB libero, Ben Brockman, where the duo teamed up to compete in the Manhattan Beach Open. The AVP experienced a rebirth in 2013, and it was then that Brunner returned to the beach, partnering with Nick Lucena for his first AVP season in 2013.
Brunner's career highlights include seven titles – the 2013 AVP Championship, 2016 Seattle Open, the 2018, 2022, and 2023 Hermosa Beach Opens, 2023 AVP Chicago Gold Series, and the 2024 AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Brunner has been named the AVPs Best Blocker four times (2013, 2014, 2022, and 2023) in his career. Internationally, he has won two Bronze Medals in major international events, as well as taking 4th place in the 2015 World Championships in The Netherlands. He won his first FIVB medal, a bronze, with Todd Rogers at the 2014 Long Beach Grand Slam. He has also reached the World Championship Semifinals three times in his career.
A philosophy major, he earned his bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara in 2008.
While this is Brunner's first collegiate post, he currently coaches some of the world's youngest and brightest stars in the game. He currently serves as the head coach for USA Olympic team members, Miles Partain and Andy Benesh. Additionally, he has served as a coach at Vibe Volleyball Lab in El Segundo, Calif., from 2020-23, where he coached private lessons for athletes ranging from 8-18, focusing on long-term skill and technical development of players. He also served as the head coach for the USC Men's Club Volleyball Team from September 2019 to March of 2020.
"Theo is no stranger to elite beach volleyball with his playing career and as a coach," Johnson Jordan said. "He is a true student of the game and I know that he will bring a fresh perspective to the team from his own career. We are beyond excited to have him join the team and our Bruin family."
Throughout his career, he has provided Individual training sessions and mentorship to professional and amateur beach volleyball athletes. He has also coached numerous beach and Indoor volleyball clinics across the country and during the 2024 Olympics in Paris, he supported USA Beach National Team Scout, Brian Hurler, in scouting for the Paris Olympic Games.
Brunner was a standout indoor player at UC Santa Barbara, earning First-Team All-America honors in 2007 and was named team captain of the Gauchos in 2008. He played indoor volleyball professionally for Paok in Greece, as well as Ravenna and Verona in the Italian A1 League (2010-12).
His first foray into beach volleyball actually happened in 2006 at the urging of UCSB libero, Ben Brockman, where the duo teamed up to compete in the Manhattan Beach Open. The AVP experienced a rebirth in 2013, and it was then that Brunner returned to the beach, partnering with Nick Lucena for his first AVP season in 2013.
Brunner's career highlights include seven titles – the 2013 AVP Championship, 2016 Seattle Open, the 2018, 2022, and 2023 Hermosa Beach Opens, 2023 AVP Chicago Gold Series, and the 2024 AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Brunner has been named the AVPs Best Blocker four times (2013, 2014, 2022, and 2023) in his career. Internationally, he has won two Bronze Medals in major international events, as well as taking 4th place in the 2015 World Championships in The Netherlands. He won his first FIVB medal, a bronze, with Todd Rogers at the 2014 Long Beach Grand Slam. He has also reached the World Championship Semifinals three times in his career.
A philosophy major, he earned his bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara in 2008.
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