"I spent two weeks with coach Wooden, from nine a.m. to three p.m. everyday," Dunphy said. "I studied his philosophies on each item of basketball, not just coaching. When I was with him I could just feel the presence of GREATness."
The study gave Dunphy insight into his own coaching style.
Already a national champion, Dunphy was willing to learn even more. After all, being his own coach is one thing that makes him GREAT.
"You have to be yourself," Dunphy said, when asked about qualities of a GOOD coach. "Coaches have to develop their own style. I added what I learned from working with Wooden to my own bag of tricks."
Coaches from Pepperdine and from around the world know of and respect Dunphy and his volleyball bag of tricks.
Natural Science Division Chair Dr. Carolyn Vos Strache said, "There are three things that set coach Dunphy apart: his technical competence of knowing the sport of volleyball; being a student of the game; and coaching at the highest level." Dunphy teaches for Vos Strache’s division.
Dunphy’s second leave of absence came after the 1985 season and the second national CHAMPIONship for Pepperdine. This time, he left to coach Team USA Volleyball.
"The decision to coach the USA team was a tough decision," Dunphy said. "It was a GOOD situation, but so was staying at Pepperdine. I’m very lucky that Pepperdine allowed me to leave and supported my decision to coach the team.