By Michelle Richardson
San Diego Mojo head coach Tayyiba Haneef-Park has been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team coaching staff, USA Volleyball and head coach Erik Sullivan announced, as the team prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Haneef-Park will continue leading the Mojo while serving as an assistant with Team USA.
“I fell in love with the Olympics in the Los Angeles 1984 games,” Haneef-Park said. “One of the greatest honors of my life has been to represent USA on that stage. I am deeply humbled and excited to work with Erik in this full circle moment and be a part of a podium push with this incredible staff and team for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
A three-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist (Beijing 2008, London 2012), Haneef-Park brings first-hand Olympic experience and a winning mentality to her new role. The 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation Coach of the Year, she guided San Diego to the PVF Championship semifinals during the league’s inaugural season.
Haneef-Park was among a three assistant coaches Sullivan named to the staff, joining former U.S. Men’s National Team assistant coach Mike Wall and UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and two-time NCAA national champion as a setter Brandon Taliaferro.
“This is an exciting time for USA Volleyball as we continue building toward the LA 2028 Olympics,” said Erik Sullivan, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. “Tayyiba, Mike and Brandon bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for the game that will help elevate our program and prepare our athletes for success on the world stage.”
Prior to joining the Mojo, Haneef-Park held assistant coaching roles at Oregon and Arizona, as well as extensive experience with USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program. Last year, she was an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Team that won silver at the NORCECA Pan Am Cup and NORCECA Final 6. In 2019, she led the U.S. Women to gold at the NORCECA Champions Cup. She was also an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s Collegiate Team from 2021-23.
In addition to her 12-year playing career with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Haneef-Park spent 12 years playing professionally overseas.
Collegiately, Haneef-Park was an All-American as an outside hitter at Long Beach State, leading the 49ers to the 2001 title match. She was also a three-time All-American high jumper for LBSU and competed at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, finishing 10th with a jump of 5-10 ¾.
COURTESY PVF COMMUNICATIONS AND SAN DIEGO MOJO
