Laurent Tillie is a French volleyball coach and former international outside hitter who leads Japan’s men’s national team in the 2026 cycle. Japan appointed him after the Paris Olympic period, adding another national-team role to a career already strongly associated with France. Tillie had previously coached the French men from 2012 through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, a tenure that ended with France winning the first Olympic volleyball gold medal in the program’s history. His 2026 Japan staff is listed by the Japan Volleyball Association, confirming his current role at the center of one of Asia’s leading men’s programs.
Tillie’s coaching background is closely connected to his playing career. He represented France for many years, captained the national team and competed internationally before moving into club and national-team coaching. With France as head coach, he oversaw a period that included the 2015 European Championship title, World League success in 2015 and 2017, and the Tokyo Olympic championship. He later coached in Japan at club level, giving him direct experience with the domestic environment before taking the national-team post. That combination of French international experience and familiarity with Japanese volleyball gives his current assignment an unusual continuity. Tillie was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2026, recognizing a career whose influence spans elite playing, long-term national-team leadership and coaching in multiple leagues.
Coach Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laurent Tillie |
| Date of Birth | 1 December 1963 |
| Born | Algiers, Algeria |
| Nationality | French |
| Current Role | Head Coach |
| Current National Team | Japan Men’s National Team |
| Career Status | Active coach |
| Former National Team Role | France Men’s National Team head coach (2012–2021) |
| Selected Coaching Achievement | Olympic gold with France men (Tokyo 2020) |
| Hall of Fame | International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Class of 2026 |