Aaron Mansfield was named Loyola Marymount University's head coach in 2017, and will enter his fifth season with the Lions this fall.
In just his second season at LMU, Mansfield led the Lions to their 14th NCAA Appearance in program history, where the team swept Duke, to make it to the second round of the tournament for the first time since 2003. The Lions' 2018 NCAA Second Round Appearance came after Mansfield led the team to a 3-0 upset over No. 1 BYU in Gersten Pavilion. The same season, Tess Reid was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I All-America Team, under Mansfield.
Mansfield capped off his 2020-21 season with a 7-9 record, including an upset over No. 18 San Diego, snapping the Toreros undefeated season. In just four seasons, he has tabbed up a 59-47 overall record.
Mansfield has built an extremely talented roster since his time at LMU. In 2019, his recruiting class was ranked No. 23 in the nation, the highest in program history. Some of Mansfield’s recruits include Audrey Klemp and Rose Booth, who were both named Gatorade State Players of the Year.
Prior to taking the job at LMU, Mansfield served the previous three years as Associate Head Coach with the Santa Clara indoor team while serving as Head Coach with the sand program.
"We are excited to have Aaron Mansfield lead our women's volleyball program and further the growth and development we have experienced over the years," LMU Athletics Director Dr. William Husak said at the time of the hire. "Aaron is noted for his ability to build strong relationships with the athletes, as an outstanding teacher and recruiter. His experience in a Jesuit institution, both as a coach at Santa Clara University and at Loyola High, will make for a smooth transition to LMU."
In his first year leading the Lions in 2017, Mansfield helped the Lions to a 16-13 overall record, including a 9-9 mark in the WCC to earn a share of fourth place in the conference standings. The Lions featured six players who took home WCC All-Academic honors, while three more earned All-WCC selections - including first-team selection Megan Rice. Playing an extremely tough schedule, eight of LMU's 13 losses came to a team that at least received votes in the AVCA poll. The WCC leader in service aces with 202 (1.87 per set), LMU finished the year ranked sixth in the nation in the category - posting the fifth-most aces in LMU history.
Following the season, Mansfield was named a coach for Billy Allen and Ryan Doherty with USA Beach Volleyball as they eye a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
No stranger to the LMU area, Mansfield spent 2009 to 2011 coaching club at Manhattan Beach Surf where he led his teams to two silver medals in the 17U Open Division of Jr. Nationals while competing himself on the AVP Tour. The native of Sunnyvale, Calif. also coached at Loyola High School where they earned a CIF and state championship in 2010.
"First, let me thank Dr. Husak and Dan Smith for believing in me and hiring me as the new head coach of the women's volleyball program," Mansfield said of his hiring prior to the 2017 campaign. "Their vision and passion for college athletics was apparent throughout the interview process and I am excited to join their team. I am eager to get to work and look forward to helping the Lions continue to compete at the highest level both on the court and in the classroom. The West Coast Conference is already known as one of the top volleyball conferences in the country, and we will continue to build on the success the program has had here. As I move on from Santa Clara University, I leave forever grateful for the opportunities and the relationships I built in Northern California. I'm excited to get to work."
Under his watch at Santa Clara, the Broncos made three NCAA Tournament appearances, earned 21 All-WCC selections, and garnered 28 All-WCC Academic picks. His final season with Santa Clara saw the Broncos get out to their best start in program history at 9-0 in 2016. The Broncos upset No. 7 USC on the road during opening weekend, and eventually garnered a #17 ranking in the AVCA Division I Coaches Poll -- it's highest mark since 2006.
Mansfield, who helped guide Santa Clara to the NCCA Tournament in his first season as a coach in 2012, eventually saw his team reach the Tournament in three of his first four years with the program. The third such run came in 2015 after registering a 22-9 mark, including a 13-5 WCC record, to finish with the fourth-best winning percentage for a single season in program history. The Broncos also reached the Tournament in 2014 after posting an overall record of 22-10, including a 12-6 conference mark to capture third place in the WCC. In that season, Santa Clara began the year at 9-1 and went on to notch four victories against Top-25 opponents and six victories over Top-50 opponents.
Prior to joining the staff at Santa Clara, Mansfield coached five seasons at his Alma Mater, UC Santa Barbara, with the men's volleyball program. In addition to training with the US National team from 2008 to 2010, and playing on the AVP Tour beginning in 2005, Mansfield also worked as the Club Santa Barbara Boys 18U head coach.
Mansfield played volleyball at UC Santa Barbara where he was a four-year starter, three-year team captain, and in 2005, he earned All-American honors as a libero. He was selected to the All-MPSF Team all four years and is the all-time digs leader at UCSB with 1,000. Mansfield graduated from UCSB with a degree in cultural anthropology.
Mansfield is originally from Northern California where he attended and played volleyball at Homestead High School. Playing under Roger Edwards and Jason Mansfield, he helped lead the Mustangs to league championships in each of his four years on the team. He was named all-league four straight years and named the De Anza League MVP three times.
Mansfield is married to the former Lindsey Spainhour. The couple was married on May 16, 2014.
