Purdue Volleyball Coach Sets All-Time Wins Record in Sweep of Texas A&M
Purdue swept Texas A&M 3-0, giving coach Dave Shondell his 513th career win, the most for any coach in Purdue history across all sports. The victory came against the defending national champions. Shondell passed legendary basketball coach Gene Keady for the record.
The milestone came in Purdue's first match of the Big Ten-SEC Challenge, with the Boilermakers bouncing back from a five-set loss to Creighton in Sioux Falls. Shondell's 513th victory places him atop the university's coaching record book, surpassing a mark held by Keady for 25 seasons.
Shondell previously passed Carol Dewey as the program's winningest volleyball coach in 2024 and reached 500 career wins last season. His tenure includes 20 NCAA Tournament appearances across 23 seasons, with the Boilermakers now holding a 1-1 record early in the 2026 campaign.
Shondell's record may elevate the profile of volleyball within Purdue's athletic department and across college sports, where football and basketball typically dominate headlines. His longevity and consistency could inspire other programs to invest more in volleyball, while the achievement on Keady Court may strengthen the sense of tradition connecting Purdue's athletic programs and their fan base.