University of Minnesota Athletics
U Mourns the Loss of Legendary Coach Mike Hebert
10/22/2019 8:33:00 AM | Volleyball, M Club
University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Hall of Fame volleyball coach, Mike Hebert. Surrounded by his family, Hebert passed away on Oct. 21, 2019, in San Diego, Calif., at the age of 75.
Hebert was a volleyball head coach for 35 years and led the Gophers for 15. During his Minnesota career from 1996-2010, he brought the Golden Gophers onto the national stage and collegiate volleyball prominence. Hebert retired from coaching in 2010 with a 381-137 record at Minnesota. While at the helm of the Gophers, he won more than 75 percent of his games and led Minnesota to 14 NCAA tournament appearances, eight NCAA Regional trips, three Final Fours and a Big Ten championship in 2002. Minnesota also reached the NCAA championship game in 2004. It was Minnesota's first Final Four appearance, Big Ten Championship and NCAA runner-up finish in school history.
"We are all deeply saddened by Mike's passing," Minnesota head coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "He had a profound impact on volleyball here at the University of Minnesota, but his sphere of influence in our sport was far greater than that. He was extremely successful at the University of Illinois and he led a number of very successful international campaigns with USA volleyball. He was a great man, a great coach and he will be missed by the entire volleyball community."
Hebert was named Big Ten Coach of the Year five times and was also named Volleyball Magazine's National Coach of the Year in 2003. Under Hebert's tutelage, Minnesota had 17 individuals garner All-Big Ten honors 31 times. During that span, Minnesota had four individuals receive the Big Ten Medal of Honor (Katrien DeDecker, Lindsey Berg, Cassie Busse and Lindsey Taatjes), and two individuals named Big Ten Player of the Year (Nicole Branagh and Busse). While setting the stage for national recognition, Hebert coached 13 individuals to 19 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America honors.
During his collegiate coaching career, Hebert established a 952-392 record, which spanned from 1976-2010. During the Division I NCAA era, Hebert owned an 892-374 coaching record, which still ranks 14th all-time.
"Mike was a tremendous coach and educator and left a lasting impact on the sport of volleyball," said Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle. "We mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Hebert, who also coached Illinois from 1983-1995, led two different programs from the same conference to Final Four appearances. Coaching in the Big Ten for 28 years, Hebert held a 323-127 record at Illinois and led the Illini to Final Four seasons in 1987 and 1988.
In his 35 years of coaching, Hebert's teams advanced to the NCAA tournament 26 times. Prior to his stop at Illinois, Hebert coached at New Mexico for three years and Pittsburgh for four seasons where he also led both teams to postseason appearances.
Hebert was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2006 and into the Minnesota M Club Hall of Fame in 2011. His coaching career also spread from the collegiate game to international volleyball. Hebert coached the 2003 U.S. National Women's Volleyball Team to a bronze medal at Pan American Games. He was also the head coach of the U.S. Women's Team at the 1991 World University Games and Pan Am Games, as well as the U.S. Women's Team at 1987 World University Games.
Hebert was a volleyball head coach for 35 years and led the Gophers for 15. During his Minnesota career from 1996-2010, he brought the Golden Gophers onto the national stage and collegiate volleyball prominence. Hebert retired from coaching in 2010 with a 381-137 record at Minnesota. While at the helm of the Gophers, he won more than 75 percent of his games and led Minnesota to 14 NCAA tournament appearances, eight NCAA Regional trips, three Final Fours and a Big Ten championship in 2002. Minnesota also reached the NCAA championship game in 2004. It was Minnesota's first Final Four appearance, Big Ten Championship and NCAA runner-up finish in school history.
"We are all deeply saddened by Mike's passing," Minnesota head coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "He had a profound impact on volleyball here at the University of Minnesota, but his sphere of influence in our sport was far greater than that. He was extremely successful at the University of Illinois and he led a number of very successful international campaigns with USA volleyball. He was a great man, a great coach and he will be missed by the entire volleyball community."
Hebert was named Big Ten Coach of the Year five times and was also named Volleyball Magazine's National Coach of the Year in 2003. Under Hebert's tutelage, Minnesota had 17 individuals garner All-Big Ten honors 31 times. During that span, Minnesota had four individuals receive the Big Ten Medal of Honor (Katrien DeDecker, Lindsey Berg, Cassie Busse and Lindsey Taatjes), and two individuals named Big Ten Player of the Year (Nicole Branagh and Busse). While setting the stage for national recognition, Hebert coached 13 individuals to 19 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America honors.
During his collegiate coaching career, Hebert established a 952-392 record, which spanned from 1976-2010. During the Division I NCAA era, Hebert owned an 892-374 coaching record, which still ranks 14th all-time.
"Mike was a tremendous coach and educator and left a lasting impact on the sport of volleyball," said Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle. "We mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Hebert, who also coached Illinois from 1983-1995, led two different programs from the same conference to Final Four appearances. Coaching in the Big Ten for 28 years, Hebert held a 323-127 record at Illinois and led the Illini to Final Four seasons in 1987 and 1988.
In his 35 years of coaching, Hebert's teams advanced to the NCAA tournament 26 times. Prior to his stop at Illinois, Hebert coached at New Mexico for three years and Pittsburgh for four seasons where he also led both teams to postseason appearances.
Hebert was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2006 and into the Minnesota M Club Hall of Fame in 2011. His coaching career also spread from the collegiate game to international volleyball. Hebert coached the 2003 U.S. National Women's Volleyball Team to a bronze medal at Pan American Games. He was also the head coach of the U.S. Women's Team at the 1991 World University Games and Pan Am Games, as well as the U.S. Women's Team at 1987 World University Games.
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