New to the Madison College Athletics coaching staff this year is Jeff Thomas.

He will be taking over the extremely successful women’s volleyball program, which holds 15 conference championships, four Region IV titles, four national tournament invites, and two NCJAA national championships.

 “Jeff’s varied experiences as a player and coach at the club, high school, and college levels will serve him well as he takes on the new role of head volleyball coach at Madison College,” said Athletic Director Steve Hauser. 

“I am confident that our program will continue to be a program that is successful both on the court and in the classroom under Coach Thomas’s leadership.  We are excited to have Jeff as a member of our staff and the new leader of our volleyball program.”

Thomas breaks down his coaching principles into three pillars – sweat, sacrifice and success.

“Hard work and dedication from the top to the bottom, a willingness to sacrifice in order to achieve greatness, and acquiring skills and knowledge will go a long way to deciding wins and losses,” he said.

Thomas brings an extensive background of volleyball success to his role at Madison College. He began his career just down the road with his alma mater, La Follette High School, where he was a two-time all-conference outside-hitter.  A three-sport, 12-varsity-letter athlete, he also excelled in basketball and track and field.

After high school, Thomas continued his successful involvement in volleyball.  He joined the club team at UW-Oshkosh, and helped lead the team to a 56-1 record and a national championship.  In his collegiate years his personal accolades included Wisconsin Volleyball Conference MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, freshman of the year in 2001, and four all-conference selections. Later, in 2011, he was inducted into the WVC Hall of Fame.

After his collegiate career, he got involved in a coaching capacity with his old high school team, La Follette, from 2009 to 2012.  From there he began working with club volleyball teams for four years, mostly with 18-and-under teams. A more experienced mind, he then went to coach with Edgewood College for two years as an assistant coach and fitness coach, before being appointed head coach at Madison College.

Thomas looks forward to a successful inaugural season at the helm.  In his spare time, he enjoys the bounty of Wisconsin’s available camping and boating opportunities, movies, and keeping track of his own physical fitness. He lives in Madison with his wife Kayla and their son, Jayce, who is 5 years old.