Yasufumi Nekomata coaches the Nekoma High School boys' volleyball team. He possesses a wrinkled face and light blondish-gray hair, walking upright despite his age. During activities, he typically wears a red jacket, white shirt, and red pants. Nekomata maintains a generally laid-back, carefree presence, often smiling during matches, though his demeanor shifts to a calmer competitiveness in actual competitions. He exhibits playful, childish tendencies, especially toward longtime rival Ikkei Ukai and Ikkei's grandson Keishin Ukai, teasing the latter about his resemblance to his grandfather or his coaching skills. He cares deeply for his players, taking visible pride in their growth during challenging situations. He offers words of wisdom when needed while trusting them to lead themselves. His rivalry with Ikkei Ukai began in middle school during a volleyball match where Nekomata could read Ukai's form, enabling him to effectively receive Ukai's spikes. Their competition continued into high school, though they never met at nationals. Years later, Nekomata coached Nekoma while Ukai coached Karasuno. They arranged frequent practice matches, aspiring toward a "Trashcan Showdown" at the Spring Tournament. Both retired, but Nekomata eventually returned to coach Nekoma. As a player, Nekomata prioritized observation and strategy over brute force, excelling in receives. His coaching philosophy emphasizes brain power and game sense in setters, viewing them as foundational to defense. He values adaptable players who evolve, granting them autonomy during matches to develop solutions independently. During Nekoma's match against Sarukawa Tech, he praised the opponent's tenacity while trusting his players to counter their tactics. He strategically adjusts positions, such as moving Sō Inuoka to wing spiker to enhance blocking when Lev Haiba joined as a middle blocker. He organizes training camps and facilitates matches, inviting Karasuno to summer camps where he observed player dynamics and disparities in their desires to improve. At the Tokyo Nationals, he expressed excitement for the long-awaited match against Karasuno but acknowledged the players' personal stakes outweighed his own. He made critical in-game decisions like substituting Inuoka or pinch server Teshiro during the Karasuno match. After Nekoma's loss, he thanked his team for their effort, receiving gratitude in return. Later appearances include video-chatting with Ikkei Ukai during a professional match and attending an All-Star game alongside Kenma and Lev.