Nebraska Volleyball’s Secret Weapon: Assistant Coach Jaylen Reyes’ Recruiting Mastery
In the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska, something special is happening in volleyball, and Jaylen Reyes is right at the center of it. Born and raised in Hawaii, Reyes brings his multicultural roots and a tireless work ethic to Nebraska, and it’s honestly changed everything for their volleyball program.
Reyes has mixed his background and drive to help turn Nebraska into a true national powerhouse. His story, recruiting skills, and the way he’s pushed Nebraska to the top are worth a closer look.
The Early Days: Hawaii to Nebraska
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Reyes grew up in Hawaii, surrounded by a wild mix of cultures. He learned early how to connect with all kinds of people, something that’s basically his secret weapon now.
As a kid, he played club volleyball and made friends across all sorts of groups. That ability to relate to anyone? It’s followed him into coaching.
When he played libero at BYU, he joined a program famous for turning out top coaches like Hugh McCutcheon and Kevin Hambly. He capped off his playing days with a runner-up finish in the 2013 NCAA title match.
That experience really set him up for a future in coaching, even if he didn’t know it yet.
Joining Nebraska: A Turning Point
In 2018, Reyes got a text out of the blue from Nebraska coach John Cook. Cook wanted a young, hungry assistant, and Reyes, just 25, jumped at the chance.
He signed on for five years, and honestly, that’s when things started to shift for Nebraska volleyball.
Working with Cook, Reyes sharpened his recruiting game. He quickly became known as the best recruiter on campus, which is saying something at Nebraska.
He pulled in multiple top-ranked recruiting classes—No. 1 in 2021 and 2023, No. 2 in 2022. That’s not luck; that’s pure hustle and connection.
The Reyes Effect: Transforming Nebraska Volleyball
Reyes does way more than just recruit. He’s been a huge part of Nebraska’s unbeaten season and their third straight Big Ten title.
He spots talent, brings in the right players, and suddenly Nebraska looks like the team to beat in the NCAA Tournament.
Building a Diverse Team
One of the coolest things about Reyes? He’s made Nebraska’s volleyball team more diverse than ever. He’s brought in players from all sorts of backgrounds—ethnic, religious, and geographic.
“In Hawaii, you have no choice. You have so many cultures, you just learn how to interact with different people,” Reyes says. It’s not just talk; you can see it in the roster.
With Filipino, Hawaiian, and white heritage, Reyes relates to recruits on a real level. “Sometimes it’s hard to go somewhere and commit four years of your life when there’s not someone who looks like you or talks like you or understands you,” he points out.
The Road to the National Championship
Nebraska’s volleyball squad, with Reyes on staff, is gearing up for a real shot at the national championship. They’ve landed a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and the roster is stacked with All-Americans and Player of the Year semifinalists.
The Final Four is set for Kansas City. If Nebraska makes it, you can bet their fans will take over the place. Unless, of course, there’s an early upset—which, well, you never know.
Reyes’ Coaching Philosophy
Reyes builds his coaching style around relationships. He pushes players when they need it, but he’s also there when they hit a rough patch.
“He’s that person who can push you when you need to be pushed but also support when you need that,” says Nebraska libero Laney Choboy. That kind of balance isn’t easy to find.
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He’s big on getting to know his players and letting them get to know him. “If you get to know them and let them get to know you, people still want to be around great people,” he says.
That approach has made him a recruiting magnet, honestly.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Jaylen Reyes
Reyes has had chances to take head coaching jobs, but he’s picky. With a base salary of $170,000, he doesn’t have to rush into anything.
Cook says, “There’s major turnover going on right now. And he’s going to be at the top of those lists. But he’s got a few more things to continue to check off here. He’s not there yet, but he’s working toward it.”
The Legacy of John Cook
Reyes has picked up some big lessons from Cook, who retired after 25 seasons. Cook’s coaching tree is stacked, and Reyes wants to follow in those footsteps.
“He would sit with me and say, ‘Jaylen, you coach out there and you do all that stuff really well. But how much of your job is actually in the gym?’” Reyes remembers. “I’m like, ‘Coach, probably 25 percent.’ And he goes, ‘It’s going to keep getting less and less. So if you want to be a successful head coach, you have to be able to do all the other things.’”
Conclusion: The Reyes Impact
Jaylen Reyes has left a real mark on Nebraska volleyball. He connects with recruits and builds a diverse team—it’s honestly impressive.
His relentless drive for success has helped transform the program into a national powerhouse. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, the team and fans are buzzing with hope for a national championship, and it’s hard not to credit Reyes for a big part of that.
If you want more details about Jaylen Reyes’ journey and how he’s shaped Nebraska volleyball, check out the full article on the New York Times.