John Dunning (volleyball)

John Dunning (born November 6, 1950) is an American volleyball coach who was the head women's coach at Stanford University (2001–2016) and the University of the Pacific (1985–2000). In 32 seasons of collegiate coaching, he guided his teams to five NCAA championships – second most of any Division I women's volleyball coach – and compiled an overall record of 888–185 (.828).[1] He is one of only two Division I college volleyball coaches to have won NCAA championships at two different schools.[2]

John Dunning
Biographical details
Born (1950-11-06) November 6, 1950 (age 74)
Reno, Nevada
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1985–2000University of the Pacific (United States)
2001–2016Stanford University
Head coaching record
Overall888–185
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
University of the Pacific (United States)
(1985, 1986)
Stanford University
(2001, 2004, 2016)

Early years

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Dunning didn't play volleyball but came to the sport first as a high school coach.[3] Before taking the position at the University of the Pacific, Dunning taught math and coached both basketball and volleyball at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California.[4] His volleyball teams compiled a record of 283–32 (.898) and won six CIF-Central Coast Section championships as well as a California state championship (1980).

In 1980, Dunning founded Bay Club, a USA Volleyball junior club. His 17-and-under team won the national championship at USA Volleyball Nationals in 1984.[5]

College coaching

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At UOP, Dunning led the Tigers to two NCAA championships (1985, 1986), a runner-up national finish (1990), five Big West Conference championships and 16 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, where his teams compiled a postseason record of 43–15.[6]

Dunning was named Big West Coach of the Year four times while at UOP and was inducted into the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame in 2007.[7] He coached 16 All Americans at UOP, including two-time Olympian Elaina Oden and 2008 Olympian Jennifer Joines.

Stanford University (2001–2016)

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In 16 seasons as Stanford's head coach, Dunning guided the Cardinal to three NCAA championships (2001, 2004, 2016), a 58–13 record in the NCAA tournament and seven national championship match appearances.[8] He was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2011, chosen the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2016 and shares the NCAA Division I record for coaching in the most women's volleyball championship matches (10) with Penn State coach Russ Rose.[9] Dunning announced his retirement on January 9, 2017.

Dunning coached 52 AVCA All Americans at Stanford, including four-time Olympian Logan Tom, who was a two-time AVCA National Player of the Year at Stanford, two-time Olympian Ogonna Nnamani, winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup in 2004 as the NCAA's top female athlete, and two-time Olympian Foluke Akinradewo, the AVCA Player of the Year in 2007 and the “Best Middle Blocker” at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Coaching education

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In 2011, Dunning partnered with three-time USA Olympic volleyball coach Terry Liskevych and Penn State University women's volleyball coach Russ Rose to create The Art of Coaching Volleyball (AOCVB), an educational organization that teaches coaching methodology through clinics and online resources.[10] Since its founding, AOCVB has put on 43 clinics in 31 cities and created an online library with more than 3,000 video tutorials.

Year-by-year career record

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[11]

Year School W L Pct. Conference Finish NCAA Finish Final Ranking
1985 Pacific 36 3 .923 15–1/1st 1st 2
1986 Pacific 39 3 .929 17–1/1st 1st 2
1987 Pacific 30 4 .882 16–2/2nd t-5th 1
1988 Pacific 22 13 .629 14–4/2nd t-5th 10
1989 Pacific 29 5 .853 14–4/2nd t-9th 3
1990 Pacific 30 7 .811 14–4/3rd 2nd 5
1991 Pacific 24 6 .800 15–3/2nd t-9th 4
1992 Pacific 27 6 .818 16–2/2nd t-5th 4
1993 Pacific 21 10 .667 12–6/4th t-9th 11
1994 Pacific 23 7 .767 14–4/3rd t-9th 11
1995 Pacific 21 9 .700 14–4/3rd t-17th 19
1996 Pacific 27 7 .788 14–2/1st t-9th 12
1997 Pacific 23 9 .719 12–4/3rd t-17th 16
1998 Pacific 26 6 .813 13–3/3rd t-9th 10
1999 Pacific 32 3 .914 15–1/1st t-3rd 3
2000 Pacific 28 4 .875 15–1/1st t-9th 8
2001 Stanford 33 2 .943 17–1/1st 1st 1
2002 Stanford 32 5 .865 15–3/2nd 2nd 2
2003 Stanford 25 7 .781 14–4/2nd t-9th 10
2004 Stanford 30 6 .833 15–3/2nd 1st 1
2005 Stanford 26 6 .813 14–4/2nd t-17th 13
2006 Stanford 30 4 .882 16–2/1st 2nd 2
2007 Stanford 32 3 .914 16–2/1st 2nd 2
2008 Stanford 31 4 .886 17–1/1st 2nd 2
2009 Stanford 23 8 .742 14–4/1st t-9th 7
2010 Stanford 27 4 .871 15–3/1st t-5th 5
2011 Stanford 22 8 .733 15-7/4th t-17th 14
2012 Stanford 30 4 .882 19–1/1st t-5th 4
2013 Stanford 27 6 .818 17–3/2nd t-5th 5
2014 Stanford 33 2 .943 19–1/1st t-3rd 2
2015 Stanford 23 7 .767 16–4/3rd t-17th 14
2016 Stanford 27 7 .794 15–5/2nd 1st 1
Totals 32 Seasons 888 185 .828 13 Conference Titles 5 NCAA Titles 24 Top-10 Finishes

Honors and awards

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  • AVCA National Coach of the Year: 2001, 2016
  • AVCA Hall of Fame: 2011 induction
  • University of the Pacific Hall of Fame: 2007 induction
  • Pac-12 Coach of the Year: 2001, 2007, 2008, 2012
  • USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach Award: 2005
  • Big West Coach of the Year: 1986, 1996, 1999, 2000
  • Volleyball Monthly National Coach of the Year: 1985
  • California Coaches Association Prep Coach of the Year: 1980
  • San Jose Sports Hall of Fame: 2019 induction

Personal

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Dunning and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Lauren and Lisa, and two grandchildren, McKenzie and Cole.

Education

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Dunning earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics from San Diego State University in 1973.

References

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  1. ^ Voepel, Mechelle (January 10, 2017). "Surrounded by youth, talent and titles, John Dunning got the perfect ending at Stanford". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  2. ^ The other is Mick Haley.
  3. ^ Eymer, Rick (January 9, 2017). "Former players, volleyball world pay tribute as John Dunning retires as Stanford coach". volleyballmag.com.
  4. ^ Eymer, Rick. "Dunning's joy was in coaching; winning was a by-product". Palo Alto Online Sports. Palo Alto Online. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Stanford's Dunning headed for hall of fame". Palo Alto Online. June 10, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Vytas Mazeika (January 11, 2017). "John Dunning goes out on top at Stanford". The Mercury News. Bay Area News Group. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Jason Anderson (April 21, 2007). "Dunning heads elite Hall of Fame class at Pacific". Recordnet.com. Stockton. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Lee Feinswog (January 9, 2017). "Former players, volleyball world pay tribute as John Dunning retires as Stanford coach". Volleyball Mag.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  9. ^ SI Staff (January 9, 2017). "Longtime Stanford women's volleyball coach Dunning retires". Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  10. ^ Ken Grosse (December 19, 2019). "Former Olympic volleyball coach brings unique experiences, vision to local business scene with Total Sports". Rancho Santa Fe Review. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "John Dunning". Go Stanford Women's Volleyball. Stanford University. Retrieved April 28, 2020.