Steve Hendricks enters his second season on the Hilltop after helping USF post its second best record in program history in 2005. Hendricks owns an outstanding resume of success at the nationally elite collegiate level and owns proven success as a recruiter and as a coach. A coaching veteran with 13 years at the collegiate level, Hendricks spent eight seasons as the lead assistant coach at Notre Dame, a perennial top-25 program. While at South Bend, Hendricks helped guide the Irish to eight consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and seven Big East Championships. The Irish won seven NCAA Tournament matches, advancing to the Sweet-16 in 1997. Notre Dame ranked in the top-25 nationally in 14 key offensive and defensive categories during his tenure capped by the 2000 squad which ranked sixth in hitting percentage (.288), 10th in assists (15.83) and 14th in kills (17.43). The Irish ranked second nationally in blocks per game in 2002 (3.66). His recruiting acumen was proven once again in 2002 when Student Sports rated the Notre Dame recruiting class No. 3 nationally. "I am very excited to be a part of the University of San Francisco and Jeff Nelson's staff," Hendricks said. "I look forward to strengthening a program rapidly becoming one of the best in the nation." In addition to his coaching and recruiting duties with the Irish, Hendricks represented the Big East Conference on the AVCA Assistant Coaches Committee. While serving as the top assistant on the women's team at Notre Dame, Hendricks acted as head coach of the men's club volleyball team. After leaving South Bend, Hendricks returned to the prep and club ranks. After directing the Great Lakes Region High Performance Team to a fourth place finish in the national tournament in 2003, he propelled Celtic Force Volleyball Club 17's (Palos Heights, IL) to the 2004 National Championship. In two seasons with Celtic Force, Hendricks posted a 52-3 overall record. Hendricks began his coaching career after a standout playing career at Ball State. As an outside hitter and defensive specialist for the Cardinals, Hendricks competed on three consecutive NCAA Final Four teams (1988-90). Hendricks first collegiate coaching experience came at Tennessee, where he served as a graduate assistant and interim head coach from 1990-92. After leaving Knoxville, Hendricks spent two seasons at Eastern Michigan as an assistant coach (1992-94). Hendricks earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ball State in 1990 and completed a Master's in Sports Psychology at Tennessee in 1992. Nelson on Steve Hendricks: "Steve has an exceptional background and proven track record and has made an immediate contribution to our program. He will play an integral role in elevating the volleyball program at the University of San Francisco to the next level."