Clayton Bristow enters his fifth season with the program. Bristow served as an volunteer assistant coach for four season, but stepped into the Director of Operations role midway through the 2025 season.
After the conclusion of the 2025 season, Bristow was hired as an assistant coach for the Dallas Pulse, the newly formed Major League Volleyball (MLV) franchise, where in May, he helped the organization win the 2026 league title in its inaugural season.
Bristow has been on staff for each season since head coach Sam Erger became head coach. He has been on staff for three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Regional Semifinal in 2025.
Bristow is no stranger to success. He's an assistant coach for the country's No. 1 juniors club team, Texas Advantage Volleyball (TAV). His 16's team won a national championship at the open level in 2021. In 2023, his 17's team finished fifth in the 17 Open. His teams have qualified for nationals in the past 10 seasons since he began coaching club.
Bristow played volleyball for UT Dallas as an opposite for three seasons. He began his coaching career with the Comets and helped lead UT Dallas to an American Southwest Conference championship in 2013. The Comets advanced to the second round of the Division III NCAA Championships. The team collected a 31-9 overall record and had an 18-game win streak at one point in the season.
Following his graduation from UTD, Bristow served as an assistant coach at Division I Lamar University, where he primarily worked with MB's and setters, helping middle Chelsea Grant finish in the top 50 for blocks per set in all of NCAA Division I.
Prior to coaching club at TAV, Bristow spent time with Alamo Volleyball Association, a top club in his hometown of San Antonio. He currently lives in the DFW area with his wife Kelsey and son Brady.
