Women's Volleyball Head Coach
Joanna Rathbun

Joanna Rathbun was named the third head coach in UT Tyler volleyball history in January of 2010 and brings close to 25 years of experience to the court both as a player and coach.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be the next head volleyball coach at UT Tyler,” Rathbun said. “My goal is to provide our players with competitive volleyball instruction in a positive, affirming environment and to elevate the UT Tyler program to the highest level.”

Rathbun comes to UT Tyler after serving as head coach for the last three seasons at the Fairhill School in Dallas, where she led the varsity squad to its first-ever district playoff appearance in just her second season. Prior to that, Rathbun spent seven seasons at Dallas Christian College from 2001-07 where she started the volleyball program from scratch. Her time at DCC was highlighted by Coach of the Year honors in 2007 after she led the Crusaders to the NCCAA Southwest Conference Championship.

Rathbun also served as the head coach at Richland College from 1995-97 and spent three years as the head coach at Episcopal School of Dallas from 1992-95 where she paced the squad to a SPC Championship in 1994 at a perfect 28-0. She has also been coaching various club teams for the past 20 years.

A former professional volleyball player and collegiate standout, Rathbun was a setter and right side hitter at Division I Northern Illinois University before closing her career at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. She served as team captain at Westmont, while raining in accolades as an All-American Honorable Mention, first team all-conference and first team all-district selection. She’d go on to play professionally for three years in the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association, earning a Top 50 ranking in doubles sand volleyball.

A 1989 graduate of Westmont, Rathbun succeeded Kristee Phelps, who resigned after five seasons with the Patriots to take a position at the University of Texas-San Antonio. She is also a nationally certified personal trainer.

Coach Rathbun can be reached at (903) 565-5603 or by email at jrathbun@uttyler.edu.