Two-time national champion Shane Davis is set to begin his eighth year as head volleyball coach in 2023. He was hired as the sixth head coach in program history on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 by Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips.
"Shane Davis is unquestionably one of the top coaches in the nation, in any sport, and we are thrilled to welcome him, along with Andrea, Sydney and Jordyn to the Northwestern family," said Phillips. "His remarkable record of success on the court speaks for itself, and his commitment to the development of his student-athletes outside competition is profound. He is the perfect fit to deliver a world-class experience academically, socially and athletically to our young women, and lead our program into the future in the best volleyball conference in the country."
In his tenure, he has lifted the recruiting and on-court prowess of the volleyball program. His first two recruiting classes ranked 22nd and 18th, respectively, with the 2017 season posted the best hitting percentage in program history.
His recruiting class heading into the 2022 season ranked No. 7 in the nation, the highest ranked recruiting class in program history.
Davis has had an outside hitter rank top five in the Big Ten in kills per set every season since taking over in 2016. That list of players includes Temi Thomas-Ailara, named First Team All-Big Ten in 2020-22, and Symone Abbott, named First Team All-Big Ten in 2017.
During a 12-year career at the helm of the Loyola University men's volleyball program, Davis built a powerhouse in Rogers Park, leading the Ramblers to three straight national semifinals and back-to-back NCAA championships in 2014 and 2015, compiling a career record of 265-88 and winning four Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Coach of the Year honors.
"After 18 wonderful years at Loyola, both as a student-athlete and head coach, I am ready to begin a new chapter," said Davis. "I am humbled and honored for this opportunity to lead the Wildcats volleyball program. Northwestern is a world-class institution with an extremely proud and supportive athletic department in the city I have called home for more than half my life. My family is rooted in Chicago and I am thrilled to remain here while leading an outstanding team to great heights.
"I want to thank President Morton Schapiro and Jim Phillips for defining the vision of this program and allowing me to be a part of it. The potential of this team is incredible and I can't wait to get to work."
After taking over the Ramblers in 2004, Davis coached 12 All-Americans, including both the 2015 AVCA National Player of the Year and 2015 AVCA Newcomer of the Year. He has also mentored 43 All-MIVA selections, including four MIVA Players of the Year, earning him 2014 AVCA National Coach of the Year honors. Off the court Davis has built a culture of success in the classroom, as 13 Ramblers were named to the MIVA Academic All-Conference Team last season.
The Denver, Iowa, native was a member of Loyola's men's volleyball team from 2000-03, during which time he set a school record for career assists (5,337) and reached second place on the school leaderboard in career digs (723). He was named Loyola's 2003 Male Athlete of the Year after a season in which he earned First Team All-MIVA recognition for the third time, as well as Second Team All-America honors.
"Shane Davis is unquestionably one of the top coaches in the nation, in any sport, and we are thrilled to welcome him, along with Andrea, Sydney and Jordyn to the Northwestern family," said Phillips. "His remarkable record of success on the court speaks for itself, and his commitment to the development of his student-athletes outside competition is profound. He is the perfect fit to deliver a world-class experience academically, socially and athletically to our young women, and lead our program into the future in the best volleyball conference in the country."
In his tenure, he has lifted the recruiting and on-court prowess of the volleyball program. His first two recruiting classes ranked 22nd and 18th, respectively, with the 2017 season posted the best hitting percentage in program history.
His recruiting class heading into the 2022 season ranked No. 7 in the nation, the highest ranked recruiting class in program history.
Davis has had an outside hitter rank top five in the Big Ten in kills per set every season since taking over in 2016. That list of players includes Temi Thomas-Ailara, named First Team All-Big Ten in 2020-22, and Symone Abbott, named First Team All-Big Ten in 2017.
During a 12-year career at the helm of the Loyola University men's volleyball program, Davis built a powerhouse in Rogers Park, leading the Ramblers to three straight national semifinals and back-to-back NCAA championships in 2014 and 2015, compiling a career record of 265-88 and winning four Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Coach of the Year honors.
"After 18 wonderful years at Loyola, both as a student-athlete and head coach, I am ready to begin a new chapter," said Davis. "I am humbled and honored for this opportunity to lead the Wildcats volleyball program. Northwestern is a world-class institution with an extremely proud and supportive athletic department in the city I have called home for more than half my life. My family is rooted in Chicago and I am thrilled to remain here while leading an outstanding team to great heights.
"I want to thank President Morton Schapiro and Jim Phillips for defining the vision of this program and allowing me to be a part of it. The potential of this team is incredible and I can't wait to get to work."
After taking over the Ramblers in 2004, Davis coached 12 All-Americans, including both the 2015 AVCA National Player of the Year and 2015 AVCA Newcomer of the Year. He has also mentored 43 All-MIVA selections, including four MIVA Players of the Year, earning him 2014 AVCA National Coach of the Year honors. Off the court Davis has built a culture of success in the classroom, as 13 Ramblers were named to the MIVA Academic All-Conference Team last season.
The Denver, Iowa, native was a member of Loyola's men's volleyball team from 2000-03, during which time he set a school record for career assists (5,337) and reached second place on the school leaderboard in career digs (723). He was named Loyola's 2003 Male Athlete of the Year after a season in which he earned First Team All-MIVA recognition for the third time, as well as Second Team All-America honors.
Davis' Coaching Record
| Year | School | Overall W-L | Pct. | Big Ten W-L | Pct. | Big Ten Finish |
| 2022 | Northwestern | 18-14 | .562 | 7-13 | .350 | 10th |
| 2021 | Northwestern | 12-19 | .387 | 7-13 | .350 | 10th |
| 2020 | Northwestern | 4-6 | .400 | 4-6 | .400 | 7th |
| 2019 | Northwestern | 14-18 | .438 | 5-15 | .250 | 10th |
| 2018 | Northwestern | 16-16 | .500 | 6-14 | .300 | 11th |
| 2017 | Northwestern | 14-18 | .438 | 4-16 | .200 | 12th |
| 2016 | Northwestern | 10-22 | .312 | 3-17 | .150 | 13th |