Tanner Resigns as Pepperdine Women's Volleyball Coach
12/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine women's volleyball head coach Troy Tanner has stepped down from his post, citing family reasons, the University announced today. The 2011 Pepperdine Hall of Fame inductee spent one season on the Waves' sideline.
"I'd like to thank Dr. Potts, President Benton, the athletic department and Pepperdine University for the opportunity to return to Malibu and coach for an institution that means so much to me. While my intention was to work here for many years, changes in personal and family responsibilities make it necessary for my wife and me to return to Orange County," stated Tanner.
"While I am disappointed, I completely respect and understand Troy's decision to resign his position as our women's indoor volleyball head coach," said Director of Athletics Steve Potts. "His commitment to his family is most important in his life and we wish Troy, Desiree, and their children, Carson, Riley and Bailey all the best in the future. Troy Tanner is a great Wave and always will be."
Tanner, the fourth coach in the women's volleyball program's 40-year history, led Pepperdine to 12 victories during the 2014 season - the second most by any first-year coach behind Gary Sato's 18 wins in 1979.
Pepperdine finished strong under Tanner's leadership during the transitional 2014 season, winning five of its final eight matches. The Waves won their final two road matches, toppling San Francisco and #25-ranked Santa Clara in four sets, before earning a 3-1 triumph over Saint Mary's on Senior Day inside Firestone Fieldhouse.
"The entire athletic administration has been welcoming and helpful since I accepted the position, and it's been an honor to be a part of Dr. Potts' coaching staff," continued Tanner. "Alex (Dunphy), Kyle (Luongo) and Shay (Goulding Meurer) have been excellent assistants. I value their friendship and will miss working with them.
"I thoroughly enjoyed coaching the young ladies on this team. They trained hard the entire year, improved throughout the season, and I value the lifelong friendships we created. I'm extremely grateful for the time, although short, I spent as head coach at Pepperdine University," closed Tanner.
Tanner has left a permanent mark on Pepperdine, both as a player and as a coach. On the court, he led the Waves' men's volleyball team to a pair of NCAA Championship titles in 1985 and 1986, and was a three-time AVCA All-American. He went on to win gold at the 1988 Olympic Games with the U.S. Men's National Team, under the direction of Marv Dunphy.
As a coach, Tanner guided beach legends Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Prior to that, Tanner served as an assistant coach for the men's volleyball team at BYU from 1997-2002.
A search for a new coach will begin immediately.
