Art and Connie Euler women’s volleyball head coach Dave Shondell announced the hiring of former Big Ten player and current professional athlete Allison Jacobs in July 2026. The 2025 All-America Honorable Mention honoree turned pro will take on a newly-created role within the coaching staff as Player Personnel Coordinator.
In her role, Jacobs will assist the team with player development, day-to-day operations within the program and analyst.
“I am so impressed with the latest addition to our staff,” Shondell remarked. “Allison brings so many productive intangibles that will positively impact our staff and our players. Since her arrival a week ago, the very confident professional athlete has displayed a work ethic and assertiveness that will encourage everyone in our Boilermaker program to be better. Allison is an absolute difference-maker and is exactly what our squad needs as we enter another challenging fall season.”
Jacobs joined the U.S. professional league scene following her graduation in December from Michigan, making her debut this spring with Major League Volleyball’s (MLV) San Diego Mojo. Meanwhile, earlier this month, Jacobs was picked up for the League One Volleyball (LOVB) league, signing with LOVB San Francisco for the upcoming season, which begins January 2027.
The powerful outside hitter was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection (including unanimous in 2025), earned an All-America Honorable Mention nod, and ranked fourth in the Big Ten last season in kills, behind Purdue’s Kenna Wollard.
Bringing experience on the national stage, Jacobs captained the U.S. U19 National team that won gold at the NORCECA Championship in 2018, receiving the event’s Best Outside Hitter award along the way. A year later, she helped lead the U.S. team to the FIVB U19 World Championship title.