Aaron Hastings enters his third season as an assistant coach with Belmont University Volleyball in 2024.
In 2023, the Bruins earned their first trip to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament since joining the conference. In their conference tournament debut, Belmont secured their first postseason win since 2015 against Valparaiso to advance to the MVC Quaterfinals. The Bruins also collected their first power five win since 2014 and compiled their best record since 2017 during the 2023 campaign.
In 2022, Hastings helped the Bruins to their first-ever Missouri Valley Conference win, their first three-match conference win streak since 2018, and their first road win over rival Murray State since the 2015 OVC Championship match.
Additionally, Belmont took a set off (rv) Washington State on Sept. 2, the first time the Bruins had taken a set from a Power Five opponent since 2018 and just the second time since 2015.
Hastings worked closely with Belmont's passers, helping develop the talents of libero Rachel McBride, who finished the year with 451 digs, the most in the program since 2013. McBride tallied 39 digs against Valparaiso on Oct. 8, the second-most in a match in program history.
Kristen Clemons and Laura Shoopman became the first pair of Bruin teammates since 2015 to each eclipse over 300 kills, and Clemons earned the program's first conference player of the week award since 2017 when she was named MVC Player of the Week on Oct. 3.
Hastings joined the Bruins after one season as an assistant coach at North Texas, where he helped the Mean Green to a 15-12 record in 2021.
“I’m excited for Aaron to join our staff,” Belmont head coach Katelyn Harrison said. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge across various conferences and levels within Division I volleyball. His time spent in the MAC and Conference USA will allow him to help us with our move to the Missouri Valley Conference, as those conferences are both very well-respected in volleyball, traditionally earning multiple bids to postseason play.”
With Hastings’ help, North Texas finished third in Conference USA last season, qualifying for the conference tournament.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to represent Belmont and work under the direction of Katelyn, who has proven to be a successful coach and leader," Hastings said. "Her knowledge of the game and passion for this program made this an easy decision for me to make."
While in Denton, Texas, Hastings oversaw travel, scouting, recruiting, statistics, video exchange, summer camps, equipment, academics, and maintaining the program’s budget.
Prior to North Texas, Hastings served as an assistant coach at the University of Akron for one season, where he coached libero Taylor Sharrits to a 2020-21 MAC Defensive Player of the Year honor, the first MAC defensive superlative in Akron history.
During his time in Akron, the Zips were second in the country in service aces and seventh in team digs.
Before making his way to Akron, Hastings was the Director of Volleyball Operations at West Virginia from 2013-2020.
In Morgantown, Hastings oversaw the day-to-day operations of the volleyball program and was responsible for coordinating liaison positions with strength and conditioning, sports medicine, equipment, Data Volley, dining services, academics, and compliance.
From 2011 to 2013, Hastings was the Director of Volleyball Operations at Ohio State.
A native of Westerville, Ohio, Hastings received his Bachelor of Sports and Leisure, Leadership & Humanities from Ohio State University in 2010 and his Master of Science in Physical Activity & Sport Science from the University of West Virginia in 2016.
