JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Jacksonville volleyball program announced the latest addition to the coaching staff Tuesday. Robbie Belden will be joining the Dolphins as an assistant coach for the 2026 season.

"I've known Robbie for many years, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome him and his family to JU," head coach Alicia Manguiat said. "His experience, passion for the game, and genuine ability to connect with and develop players makes him a perfect fit for our volleyball program."

Belden comes to Jacksonville with a bevy of experience at the power conference level. He's spent the last six seasons on staff at Rutgers as an assistant coach. In his time on the sideline, he helped the Scarlet Knights to their highest moments since joining the Big 10 conference.

"My family and I are very excited to join the JU Volleyball family and to help continue to grow the program to new heights," Belden said. "I want to thank head coach Alicia Manguiat, athletics director Alex Ricker-Gilbert and deputy athletics director Rick Canter for the opportunity. I am looking forward to hitting the ground running."

This past season, Belden helped the Scarlet Knights to their best record since 2012. The season before, Belden coached the program's second ever All-Big 10 player, Alissa Kinkela. Under Belden and the staff's tutelage, she totaled the second-most kills by a Rutgers player in the rally era.

That season also saw a new individual record for blocks in a rally-era season from Natalie Robinson, and nearly a new record for aces in a rally-era season as Lexi Visintine produced the second-most in a year for Rutgers.

In his first season on staff, the Scarlet Knights saw their first ever All-Big 10 honoree with setter Inna Balyko. 

Before his time in Piscataway, Belden spent one season on staff at Northeastern as an assistant coach. His prior role was at Campbell, where he oversaw recruiting, travel and scouting in addition to his role running the Camels offensive attack.

As an assistant in 2017, he helped Campbell to a 20-win season, the program's first in nearly 20 years, and an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. 

Prior to that, he was on staff at Hartford and a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, Connecticut. He played on the men's club volleyball team as an undergraduate. Early in his coaching career, he also coached at the club level with Husky Volleyball Club.