Pete Hanson's run as Ohio State men's volleyball coach has come to an end after 35 years.
Hanson announced his retirement on Thursday morning, ending an illustrious run spanning more than three decades as the Buckeyes' head coach.
During his 35 years, the team won three national championships (2011, 2016, 2017) and won the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association regular season title 18 times, more than half of his seasons as head coach. His 712 wins are the third most in NCAA history.
“I would also like to say thank you to the many, many student-athletes that chose to enroll at Ohio State and become members of our volleyball program," Hanson said in a statement. "The legacy of Ohio State volleyball was and has been built by all of those fine young men that wore the Scarlet and Gray. I am forever indebted to them, as they helped to ensure that Ohio State volleyball remained one of the most respected programs in the country."
Hanson was named national coach of the year in 1998, 2000, 2011 and 2016. USA Volleyball, AVCA and Ohio State Athletics have inducted him into their respective hall of fames in the past four years.
During his 35 years, Hanson racked up a 712-359 record, going 312-102 in the MIVA. He earned conference coach of the year honors 13 times.
“Pete Hanson’s Buckeye career embodied our mantra of ‘The People. The Tradition. The Excellence.’ He’s found success on the court and molded young men off of it, preparing them for life after college," Gene Smith said in a statement. "Pete leaves a lasting legacy at The Ohio State University.”
Pete Hanson reflects on his 35 years as a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/ytyWpdNfDm
— OSU Men's Volleyball (@OhioStateMVB) April 18, 2019
Hanson presided over a 42-match winning streak between the 2016 and 2017 seasons that is the longest in Ohio State history for a head-to-head sport.
Five of his players were Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients, and 208 earned academic All-Big Ten honors.
“I will certainly miss Ohio State and the volleyball program, but I will never forget it," Hanson said.
