Dr. Tom Peterson has led the men's volleyball program at Southern Virginia University since its inception in 2017. Coach Peterson is one of the most decorated and well-credentialed volleyball coaches in the country, with numerous visits to the NCAA Tournament, including nine "Final Four" appearances and three NCAA Championships as a coach.
Most recently, Peterson led Southern Virginia to a 35-1 record en route to the 2025 national title. It was not only the programs first ever championship, but the university's first ever national victory at the NCAA level. Along the way, he was named the CVC, Region lll, and National Coach of the Year. Under his tutelage, Christian Sheaffer was named the NCAA Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, and was the AVCA National Player of the Year.
During his tenure at Southern Virginia, Peterson has led the team to four Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) titles (2019, 2021, 2024, 2025), and is a five-time CVC Coach of the Year. The Knights have been to the NCAA Tournanment six times as an NCAA member, advancing to the quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024, the national semifinal in 2021, and the national final in 2025. During the 2024 season, Peterson earned his 500th career win, led the Knights to a national No. 1 ranking, and was selected as the NCAA Region lll Coach of the Year.
With nearly 40 years of collegiate coaching experience, Peterson has led several prominent programs in his career. After coaching the BYU men's club team to three national titles (1987, 1988, 1989), Peterson led the Penn State men's team to an NCAA Division l national title in 1994, which was the first national title for a men's program outside of California; and was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year. In 2004, Peterson led the BYU men's team to an NCAA Division l national title and was named Volleyball Magazine's Coach of the Year. Peterson has coached numerous All-American and All-Conference players.
In addition to his coaching achievements, Peterson holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, a master's degree in Professional Leadership and a Doctor of Education degree in Physical Education Administration, all from BYU. His dissertation examined coaching methodology and process of United States men's national volleyball team coaches. Peterson holds the rank of Associate Professor and has taught numerous college-level physical education skills and theory courses. He is currently an Instructor and Coaching Concentration Advisor at Southern Virginia University and teaches the "Successful Coaching" course.
Peterson served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Guatemala-El Salvador Mission.
