john dunn headshot 2

John Dunn

John Dunn joined San Diego volleyball as an assistant coach in May of 2024. He will enter his second season with the Toreros in the fall of 2025.

In Dunn’s first year with the program, USD developed:
  • One Setter of the Year
  • One Freshman of the Year
  • Three All-WCC First Team selections
  • One All-WCC Second Team selections
  • Two All-WCC Honorable Mention selections
  • Three All-WCC Freshman Team selections
  • One WCC All-Academic First Team selections
  • One WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention selections
With Dunn’s assistance, the Toreros posted a strong 19-9 overall record and a 14-4 finish in WCC play in 2024, tying for second place in the conference. The team’s season was highlighted by an undefeated run at the LSU Invitational and statement victories over No. 17 BYU and WCC rival Pepperdine. Isabel Clark was named WCC Freshman of the Year, while Kylie Munday earned WCC Setter of the Year honors. Clark, Kristen Erland, and Haylee Stoner were selected to the All-WCC First Team, Nemo Beach was named to the All-WCC Second Team, and Madi Allen and Kennedy Osunsanmi received All-WCC Honorable Mentions. Stoner was also recognized on the All-WCC Academic Team, with Olivia Bennett earning a WCC Academic Honorable Mention.

Dunn joins USD from Kansas State, where he had served as the Wildcats’ assistant coach since May of 2023. 

“I am excited to announce the addition of John Dunn to our volleyball staff,” said Petrie. “John has great experience in high-level training gyms, with Kansas State, Washington, and Arizona all on his resume. His experience both in the gym, in the office, scouting and recruiting provide him with the skills to elevate our program. John is charismatic and enthusiastic, and will make an immediate impact on our staff. Please join me in welcoming John to the Torero family.”

He specialized in defensive strategy — particularly floor defense — while in Manhattan, working closely with the program’s liberos and defensive specialists. His guidance helped Kansas State secure a record-breaking five Top 25 victories and its most regular season wins since 2016, including a 3-0 sweep over eventual national champion Texas. Four Wildcats earned All-Big 12 honors with him on the staff, and one was recognized as an AVCA All-American.

Dunn’s duties at KSU also included scouting, charting, practice plans, recruiting, overseeing student managers, and liaising with the department’s social media team.

“I want to thank Jennifer Petrie and Associate Head Coach Carlos Moreno for this amazing opportunity to join them at the University of San Diego,” Dunn said. “Their resumes and storied careers, both as players and coaches, speak for themselves. It was evident that their passion to compete at the highest level and dedication to develop quality student athletes aligned closely with my own. After visiting the campus, meeting the players and staff, it was an easy choice to want to continue to build upon the amazing foundation already laid that is USD Volleyball.

I also cannot express enough the immense gratitude and love I have for Jason Mansfield and the whole program at K-State. It was an honor to contribute to what he is building there and I am excited to continue to watch that program thrive. I’ve been incredibly blessed to work for amazing head coaches like Heather Moore-Martin, David Rubio, Keegan Cook, Leslie Gabriel, and Jason Mansfield, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue to learn and develop as a coach and person under Coach Petrie. I can’t wait to get back out West and get to work!”

Prior to Kansas State, Dunn spent time at the University of Washington, earning a Master’s Degree in Education as a graduate assistant before being promoted to volunteer assistant coach. During Dunn’s tenure at UW, the Huskies reached their 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament. 

He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona, where he played for and served as the president of the school’s men’s club volleyball team in addition to being a practice player for the Division I women’s volleyball program.

A native of Tucson, Arizona, Dunn played for one season at Belmont Abbey College after attending Salpointe Catholic High School, at which he was a four-year varsity volleyball letterwinner.