Texas Tech Fired Volleyball Coach Tony Graystone
The university terminated the coach on September 13 following serious abuse allegations.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Volleyball
Texas Tech University fired head volleyball coach Tony Graystone on September 13, 2026. The move followed an email that alleged Graystone committed physical abuse and felony battery.
Why it matters
The university ended the coach's employment for cause after receiving an email that prompted a meeting between athletic director Kirby Hocutt and the accuser. This action effectively terminated all of the school's remaining contractual obligations to Graystone.
Texas Tech fired Tony Graystone for cause under Section 5.A. of his employment contract. The action took place 6 days after the athletic director received the email alleging misconduct.
The players
Tony Graystone
He is the former head volleyball coach at Texas Tech University who was terminated for cause.
Kirby Hocutt
He is the athletic director at Texas Tech University who oversaw the meeting and termination process.
Alisa Blair
She is the interim head coach taking over the volleyball program duties for the 2026 season.
The details
Athletic director Kirby Hocutt met with the sender of an email on September 9, 2026, after a request was made to avoid discussing the matter with Graystone due to fears of retaliation. Following this meeting, the university moved to sever ties with the head coach.
Timeline
September 7, 2026: An email was sent to Kirby Hocutt requesting a meeting about abuse allegations.
September 9, 2026: Kirby Hocutt held a meeting with the individual who sent the email.
September 13, 2026: Texas Tech University announced the termination of Tony Graystone.
2026 season: Alisa Blair serves as the interim head volleyball coach.
Season Trajectory
The sudden coaching change forces the volleyball program to navigate the 2026 season under interim leadership. This transition alters the competitive outlook for the squad while the university addresses the implications of the misconduct allegations.
The coaching change immediately shifts the leadership dynamic for all student-athletes on the roster for the remainder of the 2026 season. The university's decision effectively creates a vacancy in the permanent head coaching position that will require a future search process.
The takeaway
The university's swift action reflects the importance of institutional response protocols when faced with reports of severe misconduct. Moving forward, the focus will remain on the program's stability under interim leadership throughout the current season.
Further reading
For more updates on the program, visit Volleyball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Athletic Business Magazine.
