PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots volleyball team has added assistant coach Jeff Baxter to the staff, announced head coach Brent Crouch. Baxter makes his way to The Bluff from Loyola Marymount, where he was an assistant coach and tech coordinator.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to our coaching staff," said Crouch. "In addition to coaching on the floor, Jeff will oversee analytics and video, compile scouting reports, and has already started devising various mental training programs for individual players by drawing on his background in sports psychology."
 
Baxter was a setter at Cal State Northridge from 2006-11 where he helped the Matadors to a NCAA Final Four appearance in 2010. In 2011 he transitioned from player to assistant coach where he helped the team to a top-15 ranking in each of the three years on staff. With the Matadors his primary responsibilities were recruiting, scouting opponents, and setter coach.
 
After three years at Cal State Northridge, he transferred to the women's game where he began working at Loyola Marymount. He helped guide the Lions to a third-place finish in the West Coast Conference, a ranking of No. 26 in the RPI, and a NCAA sweet 16 appearance. He worked with live coding, DataVolley, DataVideo, and statistics, while also helping to coach setters, passers, and back row defenders.
 
"Jeff's skill set will significantly diversify the strengths of our coaching staff overall," continued Crouch. "Moreover, like former assistants Nate Ngo and Nellie Coleman, Jeff has spent considerable time in the USA Volleyball gym in various capacities, and will continue that important relationship for us. Most importantly, Jeff is a fantastic person, is very smart and our student-athletes already are connecting with him. He fits right in and will push us in new directions."
 
In addition to his work on the collegiate level, he has worked with the USA Women's Volleyball Team. In the camps that he has attended his primary roles were focused on research and aid with in-practice help.
 
"I am extremely humbled and grateful to join the UP Volleyball Program," said Baxter. "The University of Portland provides an opportunity to work with a great group of student-athletes and a coaching staff that has common philosophies and is eager to always do things better."