University of Lynchburg

Thomas Chandler was selected as the women's beach volleyball head coach in July 2026. He joined the Lynchburg volleyball coaching staff in the fall of 2024.

He quickly established himself as a dedicated coach and mentor committed to the development of student-athletes both on and off the court. He will continue his duties as assistant coach of the women’s indoor volleyball team along with his promotion to head coach of the beach volleyball team.

Since his arrival in 2024, the women’s indoor volleyball program has seen immense success. The indoor squad has totaled an impressive 45 wins across two seasons and achieved the first NCAA tournament appearance in program history. In 2025, the women’s indoor volleyball team tied the program record for the most victories in a season with 26 triumphs. 

Additionally, the beach program, entering their 5th season in 2026 has continued to develop with Chandler as an assistant, claiming double-digit victories in each of the last two seasons and earning wins in both years of the AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championships.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Chandler graduated from the University of South Alabama, where he served as a student manager for the Jaguars’ volleyball program throughout his four years. In 2024, he also coached at the club level as the head coach for Southern Alabama Volleyball Academy (SAVA).

Chandler comes from a volleyball family—his mother, Lydia, was a longtime coach, and both of his sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Lillian, played competitively in high school.

In addition to coaching, Chandler is an avid beach volleyball player. He has competed in tournaments across the Gulf Coast for over five years and continues to play in his free time.