Monday, September 29, 2025 | Volleyball, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When Abby Gilleland was an all-conference freshman setter for head coach Ryan Theis' Ohio University team in 2012, she envisioned a different future.
In those days, Gilleland figured that once she finished playing, her connection to volleyball might be soothing an injured player and wrapping a broken finger or twisted knee.
"I was on the nursing track,'' she said.
Gilleland played for Theis for two seasons before the first-year Gators coach, an assistant on former UF boss Mary Wise's staff in the mid-2000s, returned to his native Wisconsin to take over the Marquette program. While Theis taught the Golden Eagles how to fly, Gilleland soared on her own at Ohio.
Gilleland capped her career by leading the Bobcats to the Mid-American Conference Tournament title in 2015 – earning tournament MVP honors – and as a three-time All-MAC first-team selection. She also changed directions while in college.
Gilleland decided to become a coach instead of a nurse.
Theis can't say he is surprised, considering the way Gilleland approached playing.
"She would attack any situation,'' Theis said. "She was completely fearless."
Gators assistant coach Abby Gilleland during her playing career at Ohio University. (Photo: Courtesy of Ohio U)
Gilleland charged a coaching career the same way she would a floating volleyball on the court. She started out at tiny William & Mary in Virginia. She moved from there to UT Chattanooga, then took a step up the ladder to UConn, and finally rejoined Theis and fellow Gators assistant Ryan Walthall at Marquette.
When Theis was hired to replace Wise earlier this year, he brought Gilleland and Walthall with him. For Gilleland, that meant her unlikely journey was bound for yet another unexpected destination.
One she couldn't wait to get to.
"I had never stepped foot on campus,'' said Gilleland, who grew up in Illinois about 90 minutes northwest of Chicago. "What intrigued me about Florida is the Florida brand and having the opportunity to build a program with Ryan. I know he's dreamed of this job. That was kind of a no-brainer."
While Florida intrigued Gilleland, she showed up with empathy for the players. She faced similar circumstances when she was in college, and Theis departed for Marquette in the middle of her career. Walthall, a former standout libero at Penn State, also coached Gilleland at Ohio and left for another job.
When Gilleland finally set foot on the UF campus in the spring, she saw a group of Gators uncertain about the changes that inevitably occur during a coaching transition.
"It's an extremely turbulent time,'' Gilleland said.
The Gators had an idea of what the 2025 season might be like under Wise, but they knew nothing about Theis, his leadership style, or his accomplishments at Marquette.
Gilleland provided a soothing voice – much like a nurse tending to a young child.
"I know, guys. I was there. I get it. Ten years ago, I was in the same exact emotional seat," Gilleland told them.
Seven months after Wise's surprise retirement, the Gators are finding their way under the new regime. They defeated Alabama, 3-1, on Sunday to improve to 6-5. The victory over the Crimson Tide was Theis' first Southeastern Conference victory and came nine days after the Gators lost to his former team, Marquette, on the road.
Gilleland is by his side to help navigate this uncharted territory for the Gators. Meanwhile, the message to the players to stay the course is sinking in deeper.
"Things just look a little different and sound a little different, and that's life,'' Gilleland said. "I think at the end of the day, our goal as coaches off the floor is just to prepare them for what real life looks like when you are done. Going through each of those transitions [for me] gives you some perspective."
Gators head coach Ryan Theis coached UF assistant Abby Gilleland for two seasons at Ohio University. (Photo: Jordan Perez/UAA Communications)
Gilleland's ability to relate to what the Gators are going through is a plus in Year 1 of the Theis era. She was a player who loved the big moments and consistently delivered under pressure.
Theis recalls watching Gilleland play in a USA Volleyball National Juniors tournament against a team from the Tampa Bay area. Gilleland's team was outclassed in this particular matchup and lost, but he never forgot how Gilleland did everything in her power to keep her squad in the match.
"She just wouldn't back down,'' he said.
Gilleland lives that way, too. She embraces the work, whether pursuing an MBA while coaching or meticulously reviewing the small details during a timeout.
"I don't know if she's going to be a head coach, be my assistant for a while, or be a CEO," Theis said. "She could be all of them."
Gilleland's big moments as a player are now a decade old. Today, she strives to help the Gators fulfill their potential and learn more about the game, themselves and life.
She looked the part on Sunday, dressed in an orange Gators shirt, black slacks and carrying a tablet — no medical scrubs for her.
Gilleland is a coach. She lives it. She breathes it.
And when you listen to her talk about it, she sounds as if she is exactly where she should be.
"You love the big moments, but they look so much different from this seat than that seat,'' she said. "And now as a coach, I think it's more in the big moments of seeing them accomplish the things that they work really hard at that no one sees behind the scenes. Seeing the gratification on their face. It's still the same idea of being prepared and being comfortable and being confident in those big moments, but you're watching from the bench instead of having control to do it yourself."
