FIU Volleyball HC Coach Not Returning For 2026 Season

FIU Athletics has announced that the Volleyball team will be moving in a different direction for the upcoming season. This ends the 4-year era of Head Coach Cristina Robertson and staff. During Coach Robertson’s tenure at FIU, the Panthers have a 31-33 record in Conference USA play.

FIU Volleyball Head Coach Cristina Robertson will not be returning next season for the Panthers. 🏐#FIU | #Panthers | #PawsUp https://t.co/i3ra82UFOD

— Paws Up Podcast (@PawsUpPodcast) December 2, 2025

This past season marked the first time that the team had a winning record in both conference and overall records. However, the FIU Athletic Department has decided to move in a different direction with the coaching staff. A move that has me conflicted. While Coach Robertson’s seasons have not been as successful as hoped, they were improving. 

Who is Next In line for the Head Coaching position?

Instead of name-dropping, which is what we all want to do, I will list some traits I would look for if I were making the hiring decision. First and foremost, I want a coach who has passion. Passion is a must-have if you want to coach any sport, and especially at the D1 level of volleyball.

Next, I would love for the next coach to have experience, either as a coach or player. While not entirely impossible for a Walmart bagger to be the next great volleyball mastermind (AKA WKU’s Coach Hudson), it is not likely that you will find a great future coach outside of the realm of volleyball.

Finally, I want the next coach to be someone that the players can rally behind, someone who can be a great mentor and leader both on and off the court.

About Post Author

Manyoo Brown

I’m a big sports fan with a real passion for storytelling and covering the game from every angle. For over five years, I worked in a YouTube network, where I wore a lot of hats — YouTube consultant, PR manager, social media manager, chief writer, editor, and content advisor. Each role gave me hands-on experience with creating content, building audiences, and keeping people engaged. Now, I’m excited to bring that experience to LCL and be part of a team that shares the same love for the game and commitment to great coverage.

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