The thoughtful messages and congratulatory tweets flowed in continuously, like an unending rally on the volleyball court, when word spread that iconic coach Marv Dunphy was retiring from coaching the men’s volleyball team at Pepperdine.
Carish Stanford, a student administrative assistant for the team from 2004 — 06 wrote that Dunphy was “a legend in the sport & a truly good, kind man.”
“I have many fond memories of sitting in his office while he and the assistant coaches worked out game plans.” Stanford wrote in a note to Pepperdine’s athletic department. “Watching a true master of the sport was something to behold.”
James Gehreis tweeted, “The best coach and person I’ve ever been around, volleyball is better off because of his legacy. Proud to call Marv a mentor and friend!”
Former players, fellow coaches, fans, opponents, Pepperdine alumni and parents wrote of the impact the Waves coach of 34 years had on their lives, how much they enjoyed working with him or watching him coach and more in the days following Dunphy’s June 19 retirement announcement.
The hall of fame coach, whose career included several NCAA championships and — Olympic gold, said retiring has given him an opportunity to thank the people that have been part of his coaching journey.
“The players, the assistant coaches and the people that I knew cared — That part of it has been really fun,” he reflected. “Life is a two — way street. The athletes and the coaches I have worked with, I have learned as much from them as they have learned from me.”
Dunphy, 69, noted that victories mattered.
“As I grew older, I still enjoyed beating Stanford, SC and UCLA, those traditional big programs,” he said. “That’s just the nature of sports; I have always wanted to be the best.”
The Pepperdine graduate racked up many wins — 612, to be exact — and successful moments during his coaching career. Dunphy led Pepperdine to NCAA championships in 1978, 1985, 1992 and 2005. He was the 2005 American Volleyball Coaches Association’s “National Coach of the Year” and was a three — time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year.
Dunphy’s players have won the AVCA National Player of the Year award six times, more than any other school. Twenty — two different Waves have earned All — American first team honors a total of 38 times and 45 players have earned All — American status of various kind, 75 times.
The Topanga native coached Pepperdine for four different stretches after his volleyball career as a Wave ended — 1977 – 78, 1982 – 85, 1989 – 99 and 2001 – 17 — because of occasions where he left for educational reasons or to coach the USA men’s volleyball team.
The Dunphy — coached national team was No. 1 in the world from 1985 — 88. They won the 1985 World Cup, the 1986 World Championships, the 1987 Pan American Games and 1988 Olympic Games.
Dunphy was an assistant or consultant with the American men’s team in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 and a consultant or scout with the women’s team in 2012 and 2016.
He is a member of four halls of fame, including Pepperdine Athletics’, the AVCA’s, Southern California Indoor Volleyball’s and International Volleyball’s.
Pepperdine Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Potts called Dunphy the greatest teacher and coach he has ever been around.
“Through teaching and coaching volleyball, Marv has impacted the lives of countless student — athletes during their time at Pepperdine and even well beyond,” Potts said. “He has been an incredible ambassador for Pepperdine University all around the world. He leaves a standard of excellence for which we should all strive as his legacy.”
Dunphy said what he will remember most about his career were the student — athletes and coaches he worked with to win championships.
“When you see people winning gold medals or NCAA championships, you see them jumping up and down or in a dogpile — all this emotion, but that doesn’t last long,” he said. “What you remember is who you did it with and how you did it. That is certainly the case with me. It’s neat for these kids to be the best at what they do. You have to earn that.”
Speaking on the phone from his office in Pepperdine’s athletics department, the coach said he and staff are in the midst of converting old film of team activities such as games and practices onto newer video storage devices. Dunphy said looking at the old practice footage brings back memories.
“Training and practices were special to me because those are times when you fix things, resolve conflict and develop,” he said.
One of his favorite coaching moments is not documented on video, though. Once, a professor called Dunphy and told the coach he needed to talk about one of his players at the time. Dunphy, worried, asked what the player did. The professor retorted that the player told everyone in the class that they were playing UCLA that evening and they had to attend.
“I was breathing a sigh of relief because it didn’t seem bad,” Dunphy said. “Then, I said, ‘Tell me, how is he doing in your class?’ She said, ‘That’s the problem. He’s not in my class.’ He was just so confident in himself and his teammates that he would walk in that class and do that.”
Dunphy said confidence was common amongst the members of his winning clubs. Skilled players and Dunphy’s knack for coaching great defense were other aspects.
Dunphy said working with players individually also helped.
“That’s what worked best for me,” he said. The athletes, like anyone, are happiest when they are improving and the best way to do that was one — to — one. Athletes know when you care.”
Although the outpouring of well — wishes would make it seem like Dunphy is taking his volleyball and riding off into the sunset, he isn’t. He will still teach his coaching course at Pepperdine and work within the athletics department.
“I want to stay involved here,” Dunphy said.
He coached Pepperdine to a 10 — 12 record last season. The coach decided to step away from the game because he felt now was the right time for Pepperdine to get a new leader, but he will always cherish his time running the Waves sideline.
“Coaches or I get to choose the people I go through life with,” Dunphy said. “I got to choose my players and my staff. How many professions can you do that? That’s pretty neat.”
