Ray Lewis joined the University of Alabama volleyball program as an assistant coach in the spring of 2025, bringing extensive head coaching and championship experience to Tuscaloosa. Working alongside head coach Rashinda Reed, Lewis contributes to player development, recruiting, scouting, and match preparation as the Crimson Tide continue building toward sustained success in the Southeastern Conference. His leadership background and experience launching and elevating collegiate programs add valuable perspective to Alabama’s coaching staff.
Prior to Alabama, Lewis served as head coach at Merrimack College, where he was tasked with launching a brand-new men’s volleyball program in 2023. In just its second season, the team improved to a 16-6 record and closed the 2024 campaign on a six-match winning streak. Before Merrimack, Lewis led both the men’s and women’s programs at Central State University from 2020 to 2022, guiding the men to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and earning 2021 SIAC Women’s Coach of the Year honors. From 2017 to 2019, he was head coach at Benedictine University, where he led the program to the 2019 NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship and was named NAIA Coach of the Year. Over his career, Lewis has coached multiple All-Americans and conference award winners, demonstrating a consistent ability to build competitive, championship-caliber teams.
