University of Minnesota Athletics
Spencer Wickens Named as Volleyball Assistant Coach
1/14/2026 4:21:00 PM | Volleyball
He comes to Minnesota from Stanford
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota volleyball head coach Keegan Cook has announced the addition of Spencer Wickens as the team's new assistant coach.
Wickens comes to Minnesota after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach on the Stanford men's volleyball coaching staff. In his time with the Cardinal, Wickens helped guide the Cardinal to back-to-back MPSF semifinal appearances (2024, 2025). Stanford has produced a pair of AVCA All-Americans and four all-conference selections with the help of his coaching.
"I'm ecstatic to be able to announce the hiring of Spencer Wickens to the Minnesota volleyball program," head coach Keegan Cook said. "In Spencer, our student-athletes are getting a coach who is intentional, consistent and sincere. Within the search process, there was immediate and continued alignment in our belief in the value and mission of coaching. Spencer has grown up in, competed for and coached at championship caliber programs at all levels of the sport. We are thrilled to welcome Spencer to the Gophers community!"
Wickens made his way to Stanford after serving as a graduate manager with the Nebraska women's volleyball team in 2022. He was also the Volleyball Club Nebraska (VCN) 16 Elite head coach in the spring of 2023. He played collegiately at Pepperdine from 2018-22, competing in over 100 matches. He totaled 470 kills and 384 digs in his five seasons with the Waves.
Named an AVCA Second Team All-American and All-MPSF First Team selection in 2021, he was a five-time Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete and four-time MPSF All-Academic honoree. Wickens helped lead the Waves to the 2022 MPSF Tournament title and appearance in their third NCAA Tournament during his time with the program.
"I could not be more excited to join the Minnesota volleyball coaching staff," Wickens said. "As a lifer in the sport of volleyball, Minnesota has established itself as one of the premier programs in the sport that operates with integrity and understanding that people are first. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work in a program that puts its student-athletes first and is centered around developing our people beyond their time in college."
An Irondequoit, N.Y., native, Wickens earned his degree in sport administration from Pepperdine in 2021. He is the son of Cal Wickens, the former head men's and women's volleyball coach at Nazareth University in Rochester, N.Y.
"I am excited for the opportunity to work with Keegan and the rest of the coaching staff in addition to all of the incredible athletes on the roster. I want to thank Mark Coyle, Keegan Cook, Tricia Budke and Jenny Yehlen for believing in me and providing me with this chance to serve the Gophers," he said.Â
Wickens comes to Minnesota after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach on the Stanford men's volleyball coaching staff. In his time with the Cardinal, Wickens helped guide the Cardinal to back-to-back MPSF semifinal appearances (2024, 2025). Stanford has produced a pair of AVCA All-Americans and four all-conference selections with the help of his coaching.
"I'm ecstatic to be able to announce the hiring of Spencer Wickens to the Minnesota volleyball program," head coach Keegan Cook said. "In Spencer, our student-athletes are getting a coach who is intentional, consistent and sincere. Within the search process, there was immediate and continued alignment in our belief in the value and mission of coaching. Spencer has grown up in, competed for and coached at championship caliber programs at all levels of the sport. We are thrilled to welcome Spencer to the Gophers community!"
Wickens made his way to Stanford after serving as a graduate manager with the Nebraska women's volleyball team in 2022. He was also the Volleyball Club Nebraska (VCN) 16 Elite head coach in the spring of 2023. He played collegiately at Pepperdine from 2018-22, competing in over 100 matches. He totaled 470 kills and 384 digs in his five seasons with the Waves.
Named an AVCA Second Team All-American and All-MPSF First Team selection in 2021, he was a five-time Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete and four-time MPSF All-Academic honoree. Wickens helped lead the Waves to the 2022 MPSF Tournament title and appearance in their third NCAA Tournament during his time with the program.
"I could not be more excited to join the Minnesota volleyball coaching staff," Wickens said. "As a lifer in the sport of volleyball, Minnesota has established itself as one of the premier programs in the sport that operates with integrity and understanding that people are first. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work in a program that puts its student-athletes first and is centered around developing our people beyond their time in college."
An Irondequoit, N.Y., native, Wickens earned his degree in sport administration from Pepperdine in 2021. He is the son of Cal Wickens, the former head men's and women's volleyball coach at Nazareth University in Rochester, N.Y.
"I am excited for the opportunity to work with Keegan and the rest of the coaching staff in addition to all of the incredible athletes on the roster. I want to thank Mark Coyle, Keegan Cook, Tricia Budke and Jenny Yehlen for believing in me and providing me with this chance to serve the Gophers," he said.Â
Best of Julia Hanson
Monday, December 22
Gophers Preview NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Reach Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09
NCAA Postgame Reaction
Sunday, December 07