OREM, Utah — Utah Valley women's volleyball coach Sam Atoa has announced the promotion of Andrew Richards to associate head coach. Richards enters his sixth season on Utah Valley's staff in 2026. He currently serves as the program's recruiting coordinator, a role he will continue alongside his new responsibilities.
 
"I am so happy for Andrew on this well-deserved promotion to associate head coach," Atoa said. "His hard work, leadership, and dedication have contributed to our success each year. He has been a great support and continues to invest in helping each of the girls accomplish their goals. I am grateful for all he does."
 
During his time at Utah Valley, Richards has helped the Wolverines win three Western Athletic Conference Tournament titles, one regular-season championship, and earn three NCAA Tournament appearances. Avery Page and Kazna Tanuvasa have been named AVCA All-Americans and have earned AVCA All-Region honors.
 
"I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity and the trust that Sam has placed in me as we continue to build on his legacy," Richards said. "This staff is building something special here at UVU, and I'm honored to be part of this team as we further establish ourselves as a nationally recognized program."
 
Prior to Utah Valley, Richards competed on both the club and collegiate levels, including time at Utah under Beth Launiere. While with the Utes, the team reached the Sweet 16.
 
He also worked extensively on the club circuit with Club V, Aces Athletics, and Utah Elite in various roles, including club owner, director, and head coach. He has helped numerous Utah high school athletes advance to the collegiate level.
 
Richards is the son of Utah Valley Hall of Famer Lori Richards, who led the program for 18 seasons from 1981 to 1998. Both of his parents played college volleyball at nearby BYU. Three of his siblings also competed at the collegiate level, with Kristen playing at Stanford and Lauren and Taylor suiting up for the Cougars in Provo.