University of the Pacific alumnus Jeff Hendershot ’09, a former student-athlete and assistant coach, is rejoining the Tigers as head women’s volleyball coach.

“I am honored and energized to return to my alma mater as the head coach of Pacific women’s volleyball. This is truly a dream opportunity for me, and I want to thank Adam Tschuor, President Christopher Callahan and the university administration for their belief in me and their trust in my leadership,” Hendershot said.

Hendershot, who graduated cum laude from Pacific with a degree in sports management, was a four-year letterwinner on the men’s volleyball team from 2006–09. He recorded 605 kills, 281 digs, 142 blocks, and 47 assists across 98 career matches. As a senior in 2009, he started 20 matches and led the squad with 256 kills.

Hendershot returned to campus as the men’s assistant coach for Pacific’s final season in 2014 before the program was discontinued prior to the university’s announcement of the men’s volleyball program’s return in 2027.

“What excites me the most is the chance to connect with our athletes every day, to help them grow and to continue building a program that reflects the very best of Pacific,” Hendershot said. “This program has a proud and distinguished legacy, and we are here to win on the court, in the classroom and in the community. I am committed to carrying that legacy forward while creating a new, vibrant chapter that unites our alumni, campus community and supporters. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Hendershot most recently spent six seasons as the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of La Verne, a Division III institution in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This past season, he led the Leopards to one of the best years in program history, capturing a regional championship, advancing to the national championship match and finishing with a 30-3 overall record.

“Coach Hendershot is a proven leader, an outstanding teacher of the game and someone who deeply understands what it means to represent Pacific,” Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor said. “His success at La Verne speaks for itself, but just as important is his commitment to student-athlete development and building a program. Bringing Coach Hendershot back to Pacific is a special moment for our department, and we are confident he will lead our women’s volleyball program to sustained success.”

La Verne’s historic season followed the program’s first-ever Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Athletes Tournament Championship in 2024 and an Elite Eight appearance. Hendershot also guided the Leopards to a Sweet 16 finish in 2023.

During his six seasons at the helm, Hendershot coached one National Player of the Year, eight All-Americans, 10 All-Region selections, 12 All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honorees, nine First-Team All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selections, two Region 10 Players of the Year and two Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Athletes of the Year. Hendershot and his staff were named Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year twice.

Hendershot spent a total of 15 seasons at La Verne across two stints, first joining the staff as an assistant coach in 2011. He returned to Pacific for the 2013–14 season before rejoining La Verne, where he was promoted to associate head coach in 2017. He helped guide the program to National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament appearances in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

A native of Southern California, Hendershot played at Claremont High School where he was a three-year letterwinner with the Wolfpack.

He and his wife, Sarine Dadourian, have two children, Amelia and Alex.