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A multiple All-American recipient and school-record holder will return to Pepperdine for the upcoming season.
Pepperdine announced earlier this week that it hired former four-time All-American setter Jonathan Winder to be its assistant coach for the 2014 season.
As a four-year starter, Winder setter the Waves record for career assists with more than 5,000. In his freshman season, he also helped lead Pepperdine to the NCAA championship — the fifth national championship in the program’s history.
Winder after graduating from Pepperdine in 2008, played professional volleyball in France, Germany, Greece and Romania. In addition, the setter was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2007-12 and won a gold medal at the 2008 Pan American Cup.
“Jonathan has played at the highest level and has a great feel for the game,” Pepperdine coach Marv Dunphy said in a statement. “I believe he has an even better feel for how to connect with people and especially young people.”
Before being hired as an assistant coach, Winder served as the Pepperdine athletics department’s academic coordinator.
The former All-American also said in a statement that he is looking forward to returning to the Waves in a coaching capacity.
“This is dream job,” Winder said. “Marv is one of the best coaches the world has ever known. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from him.”
Pepperdine finished last season in fifth place in the MPSF and lost in the conference tournament quarterfinals. The team returns a majority of its starters for the 2014 season, including All-American setter Matt West.