What a difference one year made for Purdue volleyball coach Dave Shondell.
Last December, after some of his top returning players departed the program to transfer elsewhere, Shondell pondered retirement.
Rather than leave a program he’d built from the bottom of the Big Ten into a constant NCAA tournament participant, Shondell’s staff rebuilt its roster through the transfer portal and from within with development of those who stayed.
After Saturday night’s Elite Eight loss to Pitt, closing a 27-7 season, Shondell made it known he’s not going anywhere.
“It invigorated me so much I went in and made a new deal with my athletic director and signed a four-year contract, and I’m old by the way,” the 67-year-old Shondell said. “I love this team. … They basically saved my coaching career because the eight players that returned were so loyal and showed so much love to me, and the freshmen that came in, the five freshmen, they can’t find anything wrong with Purdue.”
Details of the contract have not yet been disclosed.
In December 2023, Shondell signed a contract that ran through Dec. 31, 2027. He is 512-240 as Purdue’s coach, tying with him Naismith Hall of Fame basketball coach Gene Keady for the most wins in Boilermaker sports history.
Shondell noted the incoming transfers who filled the void helped reinspire him after his 23rd season leading the Boilermakers.
“People just found things they wanted to do differently,” Shondell said of the four players who transferred out. “When things like that happen, you look at yourself. Every coach is going to look at themself and say what happened,
“None of those people that left are bad people. They were all wonderful people but they felt it was time to move on. We wish them well and we’re going to take the people that want to be at Purdue and pour our lives into them.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Dave Shondell thought of retiring. He announces 4-year contract with Purdue
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
