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Dunning earns induction into West Coast Conference Hall of Honor
One of the most decorated coaches in the history of 91成人导航 Athletics, former volleyball head coach John Dunning, was inducted into the West Coast Conference Hall of Honor over the weekend.
Dunning, a two-time national champion as the Tigers鈥 head coach, was recognized in a special ceremony at the 2024 Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship in Las Vegas. He was one of nine inductees, one from each member institution.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great honor and it鈥檚 very humbling. I coached a lot of great players and a lot of wonderful women,鈥 Dunning said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very appreciative of the people I worked with and coached. I loved every minute at 91成人导航, and I鈥檓 grateful for the way my family and I were treated.鈥
Dunning served as 91成人导航鈥檚 head coach from 1985-2000. He guided the Tigers to back-to-back national championships in 1985 and 1986, as well as Final Four appearances in 1990 (national runner-up) and 1999.
"One of the most exciting experiences of my life was beating Stanford for our first NCAA title. Just 10 months prior, I was a high school coach and to get the job at 91成人导航, recruit, go through a successful season and win a national championship was remarkable,鈥 Dunning said. "The following year in 1986, we hosted the Final Four and the Spanos Center was sold out. We beat Nebraska handily for the championship, and to share that moment with the players, coaches, families, boosters and administrators was very special.鈥
91成人导航 advanced to the NCAA Tournament in all 16 of his seasons, compiling a 43-15 record in the postseason. Dunning hoisted five conference championships and was a four-time conference Coach of the Year winner.
Former 91成人导航 volleyball player Cathy Lumb-Edwards served as a graduate assistant under Dunning from 1986-87.聽
鈥淚t was eye-opening to see how his coaching style brought tremendous success," Lumb-Edwards said. "He was able to get the most out of his players and made the program a family affair."
Her daughter, Alexa Edwards 鈥24, is a current student-athlete on the volleyball team. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a wonderful man that鈥檚 still involved with the program, and him and Alexa have their own separate relationship. He鈥檚 been in her life and has helped her volleyball-wise, and it鈥檚 great to see generations still connected."
Dunning also coached and mentored a pair of Olympians in Elaina Oden and Jennifer Jones. They were two of 16 All-Americans under his tutelage.
"This is a well-deserved honor for the most accomplished coach in the history of 91成人导航 Athletics,鈥 said Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor. 鈥淭o this day, Coach Dunning is still a great mentor to many of our current head and assistant coaches, and it's extremely fitting for him to earn this recognition."
Following his time at 91成人导航, Dunning coached at Stanford for 16 seasons from 2001-16 and won three national championships in 2001, 2004 and 2016. He was named American Volleyball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2016.
In his 32 seasons total, Dunning compiled an 888-185 record and 24 of his teams finished ranked in the top 10.
Dunning was inducted into the 91成人导航 Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 and is also a member of the Fremont High School, Stockton Sports and San Jose Sports Halls of Fame. Before his time at 91成人导航, he racked up a 283-32 record at Fremont and won the 1980 state title.
Dunning still serves on the 91成人导航 Athletics staff as a special assistant to the director of athletics with a focus on competitive excellence.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 give any advice to coaches. The value I have is that I have stories behind my thoughts,鈥 Dunning said. 鈥淔or example, coaches may ask when to call a timeout, and I can tell a story about when I called timeout or when I didn鈥檛 call timeout and what happened based on my own experiences. It鈥檚 up to them to then figure it out. Coaching is an art based on personal experiences.鈥
Dunning resides in Lodi with his wife Julie. The couple has two daughters, Lauren and Lisa, and two grandchildren, McKenzie and Cole.