Collier Becomes Advisor to the Organization, Kuhn Named Interim Head Coach, Schmidt Joins as Assistant Coach and Operations Assistant
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Supernovas have announced head coach Shelton Collier will serve as an Advisor to the Organization and named assistant coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn as the interim Head Coach. Additionally, former Creighton volleyball standout, Jazz Schmidt joins the Supernovas’ impressive coaching staff as an assistant coach and operations assistant.
“With the Supernovas off to a tremendous start, we need to expand our operations in preparations for our immediate future needs. We are fortunate to have Coach Collier’s experience in moving into this role as Advisor to the Organization,” Supernovas President, Diane Mendenhall, said. “As Head Coach, Shelton has been a vital part of the formation of this team; helping us recruit a world-class roster that Omaha and our state have embraced. He also assembled an extremely talented coaching staff, whose collective skill sets, experience and dynamics, will continue to elevate the momentum in building a championship franchise.”
This coaching staff expansion comes at a vital time for the Supernovas as the franchise operationalizes the next phase of the organization’s growth. In his new role, Collier will be evaluating players throughout the nation and internationally as Omaha prepares for upcoming free agency and the Pro Volleyball Federation Draft. With Kuhn serving as interim head coach, a national search is underway for a permanent head coach.
Collier said, “I am appreciative of the opportunity to have been the head coach for the Supernovas. I am proud of the talented roster we assembled and am very proud of the teams' development and performance. The players receive tremendous support from the ownership group, the staff, the media, and the incredible fans, and they are well-positioned for a championship run this season and, in the future, as well. I have great confidence and respect for Bird. I am also extremely excited about the short term and long-term success of Pro Volleyball Federation and am looking forward to seeing this league grow and expand this year and for years to come.”
On Kuhn, Mendenhall shared, “We are thrilled Coach Kuhn has agreed to step into the interim Head Coach position, allowing us to internally grow the structure of our organization for this next phase. She has been a vital part of our team as our lead Assistant Coach and along with her coaching duties, she has served in the key role as the player relations coach building our tremendous team culture. Her valuable experience as a highly respected head coach and collegiate player has been a vital element in the launch of the Supernovas. Additionally, we have tremendous assistants in place, allowing us the time and opportunity to conduct a national search.”
Kuhn brings valuable leadership experience to the Supernovas as she steps into the new role, having served as the head coach for the Texas A&M volleyball program from 2018-22. Kuhn was named the 2019 SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Aggies to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to Texas A&M, Kuhn established herself as one of the top assistants in the country, winning the 2015 AVCA National Assistant of the Year as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Kansas, where she helped the team reach its first Final Four in school history.
Kuhn shared, “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity Coach Collier has created for me and the mentorship he will continue to provide as we trailblaze the path for our sport. He put his time and talents into building this team and has set this organization up for success. We have some of the best athletes in the world playing here in Omaha, and we are making history in the United States in this inaugural season of Pro Volleyball Federation. There are very few times in life that we are able to do something for the first time, and I am pleased to be able to continue supporting this historic effort as interim head coach.”
Kuhn is assisted by talented, veteran coaches who, together, form one of the top coaching staffs in Pro Volleyball Federation. Assistant coaches John Xie and John Corbelli and Technical Coordinator Thomas Robson are volleyball veterans with vast international and collegiate experience.
Additionally, former Creighton star Jazz Schimdt has joined the Supernovas as assistant coach and operations assistant. Schmidt was an All-American opposite and setter during her time at Division II Palm Beach Atlantic University before transferring to Creighton for her final collegiate season in 2022.
Kuhn said, “Jazz is a natural connector and has seamlessly made her presence felt within this organization. She has been an absolute joy to have in the gym and will serve as a great player-coach moving forward. Her energy and insights will only make our organization stronger.”
Schmidt shared, “I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to be part of the Supernovas organization in the inaugural pro volleyball season. I have found so much joy in this team from the beginning of Minicamp though Training Camp, and I am excited to continue working with this talented group of athletes and people that we have here in Omaha! Especially as a Bluejay, it is incredibly special to be a part of bringing professional volleyball to Nebraska.”
Xie has worked with USA Volleyball for more than 20 years and serves as the Director of Operations and Assistant Coach, which includes multiple roles on the gold-medal winning 2020 Tokyo Olympic team.
Corbelli has been coaching volleyball since 1981, serving as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska and USA Volleyball and Associate Head Coach at Texas A&M. That also includes a stint as Head Coach for San Jose State University.
Robson currently serves as the Technical Coordinator for the Supernovas and brings his expertise from his time with the University of Wisconsin volleyball program, and then leading the NAIA volleyball powerhouse, Viterbo University.
The Supernovas earned their first win in franchise history against the San Diego Mojo on Saturday, February 3, while setting U.S. pro volleyball attendance records of over 11,000 in attendance for each of their first two matches. The Supernovas will return to the court on Wednesday, February 7, hosting the Vegas Thrill at the CHI Health Center with first serve set for 7:00 p.m. CST.
The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas, Atlanta Vibe, Columbus Fury, Grand Rapids Rise, Orlando Valkyries, San Diego Mojo and Vegas Thrill. Three expansion teams, Dallas Pro Volleyball, Indianapolis Pro Volleyball and Kansas City Pro Volleyball, have been announced for 2025. This year, the Supernovas have 12 home and 12 away matches as part of a 24-match schedule across a 16-week regular season.
When the regular season concludes, the Supernovas are aiming to be in the top four teams competing for the Pro Volleyball Federation National Championship in May. The location of the championship will be determined and announced later this season.
ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS
The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo, as well as business leaders and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, co-founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. More team information is available at Supernovas.com.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation began play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our focus is on ensuring that the level and quality of play, treatment of players, quality of event presentations and the daily fan experience is world class and the best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.