University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHER VOLLEYBALL NAMES HEFFERNAN ASSISTANT COACH
5/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Heffernan is a 1993 graduate of Penn State, where he played in three NCAA semifinals with the Nittany Lions. He graduated with a degree in secondary education and biological sciences. Heffernan was an assistant coach with the Penn State men's volleyball team in 1994, which won the NCAA Championship. He was an assistant coach for the Pepperdine men's team for two years and for the Cal State Los Angeles women's team for one year. Heffernan founded the Renegade Volleyball Club in 1995 in Ventura, Calif., and was the head coach and director for five years. He has also been active with USA Volleyball, serving as the assistant coach for the USA Women's Youth National Volleyball Team in 1998 and the head coach for the USA Women's Junior National Volleyball Team at the 1999 Junior World Championships. He is finishing his master's degree at Long Beach State in kinesiology and exercise science.
"Hiring Brian Heffernan is like landing a blue-chip recruit. He is clearly an up and coming superstar," said Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert. "It will be fun to watch Brian fulfill his dream to take on the challenge of coaching at the top collegiate level. Minnesota volleyball has just added an important piece as we pursue a Big Ten championship."
"I have been working for this opportunity for a long time," said Heffernan. "I am very excited to be back in the Big Ten and to have the chance to work with the Minnesota volleyball team."
The 1999 Minnesota volleyball team finished 27-9, its second-best overall record in school history, and earned second place in the Big Ten Conference with a 15-5 mark. The team advanced to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" for the third time in school history. The 2000 Minnesota volleyball team will begin its season Sept. 1 against Kent in Reno, Nev.
