Nebraska Hires Director of Volleyball Operations

Lincoln -- Nebraska Head Volleyball Coach John Cook announced Tuesday that Diane Mendenhall has been hired as director of volleyball operations at the University of Nebraska, effective immediately. Mendenhall fills the new position after serving as head volleyball coach at Concordia University in Seward, Neb.

"As the program grows, there's more of a demand placed on the coaches and the overall program," Cook said. "My goal was to relieve some of the administrative duties on our coaching staff, so we can spend more time coaching and recruiting.

"Diane has a background in coaching at the collegiate level and she understands all facets of the program. She has an extensive business background and experience in public speaking. She was the perfect fit for us."

Nebraska is believed to be just the fourth school to create a director of volleyball operations, joining Wisconsin, Arizona State and Iowa State.

"I'm excited to be a part of one of the best programs in the country," Mendenhall said. "Being a native of Nebraska makes this even more special."

Prior to taking over as head at Concordia, Mendenhall was the adjunct head volleyball coach at York College from 1992 to 1996 and led the program through a transition from a junior college program to an NAIA program. A native of Ogallala, she also worked as a national consultant for Curtis & Associates from 1992 to 1997, where she did numerous speaking engagements on the national scene.

Mendenhall, a 1981 graduate of the University of Kansas in 1981, was a three-year starter for the Jayhawks and was team captain as a senior. She spent nine years as a personal fitness trainer in Colorado and served as the head volleyball coach at Golden High School in Golden, Colo., from 1985 to 1986, where she was named the Jefferson County League Coach of the Year.

A graduate of Ogallala High School, Mendenhall led Ogallala to three straight state title matches, including the 1975 state championship. She was first-team Nebraska Super State in 1975 and a second-team selection in 1976.

Diane and her husband, Rich, have a daughter Ally, 12.