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Jonathan Bates | Off the Block Blog Associate Editor
After a season where Pepperdine won both the MPSF regular season and the MPSF Tournament for the first time since 2008, Waves coach David Hunt was named MPSF Coach of the Year on Monday.
This is just the latest achievement in the brief but accomplished career for Hunt. Hunt has been previously named an AVCA Thirty-under-30 recipient three times in his career (2010, 2016, and 2017). He was also named the Malibu Times Sportsperson of Year for 2018.
“It means a lot to be recognized in a conference with so many good coaches who I respect and admire.”, said Hunt after hearing he had won the coach of the year award.
Hunt’s coaching experience extends beyond Pepperdine, as he has also served as an assistant on Japan men’s national team in 2013, and an assistant on the United States women’s national team from 2014 to 2016. Last summer, he served as head coach for US team in Pan-Am Cup.
Hunt is in his twelfth season at Pepperdine, beginning as a video coordinator and volunteer assistant in 2007. He was promoted to assistant coach in 2010 and then to associate head coach in 2014. On July 10, 2017, Hunt succeeded his mentor and AVCA hall of fame head coach, Marv Dunphy, who had won this award three times in his storied career.
Pepperdine outside attacker David Wieczorek was previously named MPSF Player of the Year for the second straight year in addition to being named MPSF Tournament MVP on Saturday night. Four players were named all-MPSF in total. Pepperdine ranks in the top-three nationally with 12.50 assists per game, 13.48 kills per game, and a .346 attack percentage.
“This award is a reflection of the hard work put in by our athletes and the support of our administration at Pepperdine. I feel really fortunate to be around such amazing people.”, Hunt added.
As an assistant, Hunt amassed an overall record of 160-104. In his two seasons as head coach, Hunt is 37-14. The Waves (22-6) finished 14-0 at home, their fourth time in program history they finished undefeated at home. Pepperdine enters the NCAA Tournament on a seven-match win streak, having won the last 17 games in a row.
On April 30, in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament, Pepperdine faces the winner of the play-in match between Barton and Princeton.