Jesse Tupac becomes 14th head coach in program history
University of North Dakota athletics director Bill Chaves announced today that University of New Mexico top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jesse Tupac has been hired as the 14th leader of Fighting Hawk volleyball.
“During the interview process, Jesse really distinguished himself articulating a great vision for the program both in the short term and sustained long term,” said Chaves. “In addition, his background in international volleyball, The Summit League, other Division I conferences and statistical analysis is something that we believe will help move this program back to where it was just a few short years ago.”
Tupac, who has been a part of two programs – Penn State and Iowa State – accustomed to making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, has helped to rebuild the New Mexico program that is coming off a 20-10 season.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be named the head coach for the University of North Dakota volleyball program,” Tupac said. “I would like to thank Bill Chaves, Sue Jeno and Kara Helmig for the opportunity to lead these young women and represent the university and this great state. The passion and support from the university and the greater Grand Forks community is unmatched and provides UND student-athletes a first-class collegiate experience.”
Just prior to arriving in Albuquerque, Tupac spent three years as an assistant coach at Denver University while helping direct the Pioneers to the NCAA Tournament in each of those three seasons. In Tupac’s final campaign with DU, the Pioneers went a program best 27-3 including a perfect 15-0 record in The Summit League. As Denver’s offensive coordinator, the Pioneers hit .269 as a team in 2018, a single season program record.