University of Minnesota Athletics
Mike Hebert Q&A
6/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Minnesota Head Coach Mike Hebert recently sat down with gophersports.com to talk about the No. 1 recruiting class and several other topics.
Gophersports.com: How do you feel about your 2009 recruiting class being named #1 in the nation?
Mike Hebert: “Obviously it leads to great recognition for our program, and for that I am grateful. However, it is certainly not an iron clad predictor of future success on the court. It is just a number that can only be used against us if we falter over the next few years. However, I like this group a lot. They are very athletic and talented. I don’t think any of them will be intimidated by the No. 1 ranking. Needless to say, I am looking forward to helping them blend in with our outstanding group of returning players. I can hardly wait until August rolls around.”
GS: Talk about how exciting it is to add this group of freshmen to a very strong core of players?
MH: “I am very excited about the future of Minnesota Volleyball. We had solid recruiting classes in 2007 (No. 4) and 2008 (No. 12). Now factor in the No. 1 class in the nation and the table has been set for success. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish over the next few years."
GS: How does this incoming class fit in with your vision for the future?
MH: “In 2007 we met as a staff to map out our path to a National Championship over the next few seasons. We have talked on a daily basis ever since in an attempt to evaluate every aspect of our program. We want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that nothing is overlooked. A huge part of this plan is recruiting. It was in 2007 that we began to get verbal commitments from members of this 2009 class. Their talent level, coupled with our returning veterans and the anticipated arrival of some elite level 2010 players, will ensure our place among the contenders for that national title. The pieces seem to be falling into place.”
GS: Talk about the hard work your staff did to get the No. 1 class in the nation, and about your overall recruiting philosophy?
MH: “Much of the leg work is done by my two assistant coaches, Laura Bush and Scott Swanson. I can’t think of any other staff that is made up of three head coaches. In addition to my own experience, Laura has spent nine years as the head coach at both Marquette and Auburn, and Scott was the head coach at UTEP for four years. Altogether, we represent 46 years of Division I head coaching experience. This is a unique situation that allows me to cut back on my own recruiting travel because both Laura and Scott function at such a high level. I still get out to evaluate players, but I don’t feel the need to be everywhere all the time. Because of their advanced recruiting skills, I am freed up to work a little more closely with our returning players here on campus. This has been a highly productive division of labor for us.”
My recruiting philosophy? Ever since I arrived in 1996 my goal has been to recruit the top players from the state of Minnesota. And, with the exception of the first few years, I think we have done that. We have also been successful recruiting out of our area (Olympians Lindsey Berg from Hawaii and Nicole Branagh from California, Christine Tan from Florida). Some schools cast their recruiting net as far as possible and in every direction, hoping to land a big fish. Unlike many of these schools, we don’t dish out multiple offers for the same scholarship. We prefer to target a smaller list of players that we really want in our program and we spend all of our time and effort on them. So far this style has paid off. Rest assured, I am heavily involved in the recruitment of each and every player on our list.”
GS: Youve been coaching for over 30 years. How much longer to you want to continue?
MH: “I am often asked when I am going to retire. My answer is always, I don’t know. I don’t have time to think about it. My current contract runs through the 2010 season, and I will be discussing a contract extension sometime this summer or fall. As Joel (Athletic Director Joel Maturi) always tells me, “Mike, you’re my Joe Paterno. You can coach at Minnesota as long as you want.” I am really excited about the future of Gopher Volleyball. I think I have one of the best jobs in the nation, and it has been my lifetime goal to win a national championship. I will be coaching an elite group of players who will hopefully play themselves into a position to win that championship. My passion for coaching has only grown over time. Why retire? I’m having a blast.”
GS: About four years ago you held a press conference to announce that you had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. How are you feeling?
MH: "I get questions about it, mostly from curiosity seekers. I’m actually doing quite well. Like any other chronic illness it can be a nuisance at times. However, besides having to deal with a shuffling gait on occasion, my life is virtually unchanged since the diagnosis. In fact, I feel better now than I did at the time of that 2006 press conference. I don’t anticipate the Parkinson’s to ever be an issue as I coach this program. Now my bad shoulder and my sore back may limit me in practice. However, the Parkinson’s can be controlled through medication. And that is what I am doing.”
Gophersports.com: How do you feel about your 2009 recruiting class being named #1 in the nation?
Mike Hebert: “Obviously it leads to great recognition for our program, and for that I am grateful. However, it is certainly not an iron clad predictor of future success on the court. It is just a number that can only be used against us if we falter over the next few years. However, I like this group a lot. They are very athletic and talented. I don’t think any of them will be intimidated by the No. 1 ranking. Needless to say, I am looking forward to helping them blend in with our outstanding group of returning players. I can hardly wait until August rolls around.”
GS: Talk about how exciting it is to add this group of freshmen to a very strong core of players?
MH: “I am very excited about the future of Minnesota Volleyball. We had solid recruiting classes in 2007 (No. 4) and 2008 (No. 12). Now factor in the No. 1 class in the nation and the table has been set for success. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish over the next few years."
GS: How does this incoming class fit in with your vision for the future?
MH: “In 2007 we met as a staff to map out our path to a National Championship over the next few seasons. We have talked on a daily basis ever since in an attempt to evaluate every aspect of our program. We want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that nothing is overlooked. A huge part of this plan is recruiting. It was in 2007 that we began to get verbal commitments from members of this 2009 class. Their talent level, coupled with our returning veterans and the anticipated arrival of some elite level 2010 players, will ensure our place among the contenders for that national title. The pieces seem to be falling into place.”
GS: Talk about the hard work your staff did to get the No. 1 class in the nation, and about your overall recruiting philosophy?
MH: “Much of the leg work is done by my two assistant coaches, Laura Bush and Scott Swanson. I can’t think of any other staff that is made up of three head coaches. In addition to my own experience, Laura has spent nine years as the head coach at both Marquette and Auburn, and Scott was the head coach at UTEP for four years. Altogether, we represent 46 years of Division I head coaching experience. This is a unique situation that allows me to cut back on my own recruiting travel because both Laura and Scott function at such a high level. I still get out to evaluate players, but I don’t feel the need to be everywhere all the time. Because of their advanced recruiting skills, I am freed up to work a little more closely with our returning players here on campus. This has been a highly productive division of labor for us.”
My recruiting philosophy? Ever since I arrived in 1996 my goal has been to recruit the top players from the state of Minnesota. And, with the exception of the first few years, I think we have done that. We have also been successful recruiting out of our area (Olympians Lindsey Berg from Hawaii and Nicole Branagh from California, Christine Tan from Florida). Some schools cast their recruiting net as far as possible and in every direction, hoping to land a big fish. Unlike many of these schools, we don’t dish out multiple offers for the same scholarship. We prefer to target a smaller list of players that we really want in our program and we spend all of our time and effort on them. So far this style has paid off. Rest assured, I am heavily involved in the recruitment of each and every player on our list.”
GS: Youve been coaching for over 30 years. How much longer to you want to continue?
MH: “I am often asked when I am going to retire. My answer is always, I don’t know. I don’t have time to think about it. My current contract runs through the 2010 season, and I will be discussing a contract extension sometime this summer or fall. As Joel (Athletic Director Joel Maturi) always tells me, “Mike, you’re my Joe Paterno. You can coach at Minnesota as long as you want.” I am really excited about the future of Gopher Volleyball. I think I have one of the best jobs in the nation, and it has been my lifetime goal to win a national championship. I will be coaching an elite group of players who will hopefully play themselves into a position to win that championship. My passion for coaching has only grown over time. Why retire? I’m having a blast.”
GS: About four years ago you held a press conference to announce that you had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. How are you feeling?
MH: "I get questions about it, mostly from curiosity seekers. I’m actually doing quite well. Like any other chronic illness it can be a nuisance at times. However, besides having to deal with a shuffling gait on occasion, my life is virtually unchanged since the diagnosis. In fact, I feel better now than I did at the time of that 2006 press conference. I don’t anticipate the Parkinson’s to ever be an issue as I coach this program. Now my bad shoulder and my sore back may limit me in practice. However, the Parkinson’s can be controlled through medication. And that is what I am doing.”
Players Mentioned
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