The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director of Operations / Assistant Coach, Beach Volleyball
- Email:
- Phone:
- 512-471-9148
Will Buchanan has been a key contributor to the rapid rise of Texas Beach Volleyball, serving as assistant coach and director of operations since joining the Longhorns in 2023. A Texas native and longtime leader in the state’s beach volleyball landscape, Buchanan has helped guide the program to two conference championships, two NCAA Championship appearances, and the first NCAA Championship semifinal appearance in program history.
In 2026, Buchanan played an integral role in Texas’ most successful season to date as the Longhorns captured the MPSF Championship Tournament before advancing to the NCAA Championship semifinals for the first time in program history. Texas finished the season with a program-best 28-7 record. At the same time, Buchanan helped oversee the continued development of a roster that produced the program’s first AVCA Collegiate Beach All-Americans in Brecht Piersma and Katie Hashman. The Longhorns also earned six All-MPSF selections, four MPSF All-Tournament honors and three All-Freshman Team selections.
Buchanan helped lead another breakthrough season in 2025 as Texas posted a 28-10 record, captured the CCSA Championship and earned the program’s first NCAA Championship berth in its first season of postseason eligibility. The Longhorns defeated Cal in the opening round before falling to eventual national champion TCU in the quarterfinals. Texas also produced multiple All-CCSA and All-Freshman Team selections under his guidance.
In his first season with the program in 2024, Buchanan helped Texas earn its first victory over a nationally ranked opponent with a 4-1 win over No. 20 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the season finale.
Buchanan was hired on June 13, 2023, after serving as Director and Head Coach of Madsand Beach Volleyball, a Texas-based club program he founded in 2017 and built into one of the nation’s premier beach volleyball organizations. Under his leadership, Madsand became the first Texas program to win the BVCA Best Beach Club Award twice and developed numerous athletes who went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level. He also oversaw a staff of 15 coaches and more than 270 athletes.
In addition to his club success, Buchanan has contributed to USA Volleyball’s Beach National Team Development Program, working in Gulf Shores, Alabama, to help identify and develop top junior talent for the national pipeline.
As a player, Buchanan competed in AVP and NVL qualifiers and open tournaments since in 2014.
A 2012 graduate of Texas State University, Buchanan earned his master’s degree from Texas State in 2014.
