CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Volleyball Head Coach Jackie Simpson Kirr announced the addition of Nicole Willis to the 2025 staff. Willis joins the Clemson staff as the director of volleyball operations. She will manage the day-to-day logistics and operations of the program that includes team travel and equipment.
“Nicole brings exceptional organizational skills and a strong focus on building personal connections with both staff and athletes,” said Simpson Kirr. “Her dedication to fostering a cohesive and supportive team environment will be instrumental in enhancing our operations and player development.”
Willis comes to Clemson after serving as an Assistant Director and Learning Specialist at NC State since January 2022. She implemented individual educational support plans for student-athletes in a variety of college level courses as well as designed, organized and implemented the annual one-day professional development conference: The Wolfpack Summit. Prior to her time with the Wolfpack, Willis was an AVID Coordinator with the Johnston County Public Schools. She previously was also a primary school teacher and has taught private lessons and served as an assistant coach withing the Triangle Volleyball Club. She served as the Ravenscroft School Head Varsity Volleyball Coach in 2019 and served as the Director of Volleyball Operations at her alma mater, East Carolina University, in 2014.
A graduate from ECU in the spring of 2014, she was an All-Conference right side hitter during her playing career for the Pirates. She was a two-time ECU honor roll member and an East Carolina Scholar-Athlete of the Year nominee in 2014. She brings previous experience working alongside Simpson Kirr, as Willis was a student-athlete at East Carolina during Simpson Kirr’s first Division I coaching role.
Willis is the final addition to Simpson Kirr’s 2025 coaching staff, joining former Clemson Volleyball alum, Mo (Simmons) McKenney, who was hired as an assistant coach in January. She replaces Haley Bilbruck, who was elevated to an assistant coaching role in January.
