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Pedro Mendes Departs to Become MLV Minnesota Head Coach
1/26/2026 12:45:00 PM | Volleyball
Mendes spent the 2022 season and 2024-25 with Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS -- Pedro Mendes, who spent the 2022 season as a volunteer assistant and the 2024-25 seasons as an assistant coach, is departing Minnesota volleyball to become the head coach of the new Major League Volleyball Minnesota team, which will take the court in January of 2027. Minnesota is set to become the 11th MLV team.
With his assistance, Minnesota went to three NCAA Tournaments, including a Round of 32 spot in 2024 and Sweet 16 bids in 2022 and 2025. The Gophers posted a 67-30 (40-20 B1G) record during those three seasons.
"It is an exciting moment for my family and me as we transition into this new professional adventure," Mendes said. "We love Minnesota, and this represents a unique opportunity to continue developing the sport within the state. I would also like to sincerely thank all the athletes, fans, administrators, support staff, assistant coaches and Keegan Cook for the incredible support over the three years I worked at the University of Minnesota. I am also deeply grateful to Hugh McCutcheon for opening the door for me four years ago and for his mentorship and friendship throughout this journey. I wish the program nothing but continued success in the years to come, and I will certainly be cheering for them."
In charge of coaching Minnesota's middles, the 'U' finished third in the Big Ten in both blocks (315.5) and blocks per set (2.65) in 2025. In 2024, the 'U' finished sixth in the league with 2.69 bps and Phoebe Awoleye was second in the Big Ten with 1.48 blocks per set. She made Second Team All-Big Ten. In 2025, Jordan Taylor (1.23 bps) and Lourdes Myers (1.22 bps) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten in blocks per set.
"We're thrilled for Pedro and his family as he takes the next step in his professional career," said head coach Keegan Cook. "I'm thankful for his mentorship of our student-athletes and proud of his development within our program. The University of Minnesota continues to be a transformational institutionfor volleyball athletes and coaches alike and Pedro is the latest in that legacy of development."
Taylor was a AVCA All-Northwest Region Honorable Mention and won her first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award in November. Myers, a sixth-year senior transfer, had the best season of her collegiate career both offensively and defensively. She earned AVCA All-Northwest Region Honorable Mention honors and made the Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament Team.
The Gophers volleyball program is in the midst of searching for an assistant coach to fill out the staff, joining head coach Keegan Cook, GM/assistant Nellie Coleman and assistant coach Spencer Wickens.
Mendes (MLV Minnesota) joins Jonathan Winder (Pepperdine), Leslie Gabriel (Washington), Jason Mansfield (Kansas State), and Kristen Kelsay (Michigan State) as the fifth assistant coach to be hired as a head coach in Cook's eleven seasons as a head coach.
With his assistance, Minnesota went to three NCAA Tournaments, including a Round of 32 spot in 2024 and Sweet 16 bids in 2022 and 2025. The Gophers posted a 67-30 (40-20 B1G) record during those three seasons.
"It is an exciting moment for my family and me as we transition into this new professional adventure," Mendes said. "We love Minnesota, and this represents a unique opportunity to continue developing the sport within the state. I would also like to sincerely thank all the athletes, fans, administrators, support staff, assistant coaches and Keegan Cook for the incredible support over the three years I worked at the University of Minnesota. I am also deeply grateful to Hugh McCutcheon for opening the door for me four years ago and for his mentorship and friendship throughout this journey. I wish the program nothing but continued success in the years to come, and I will certainly be cheering for them."
In charge of coaching Minnesota's middles, the 'U' finished third in the Big Ten in both blocks (315.5) and blocks per set (2.65) in 2025. In 2024, the 'U' finished sixth in the league with 2.69 bps and Phoebe Awoleye was second in the Big Ten with 1.48 blocks per set. She made Second Team All-Big Ten. In 2025, Jordan Taylor (1.23 bps) and Lourdes Myers (1.22 bps) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten in blocks per set.
"We're thrilled for Pedro and his family as he takes the next step in his professional career," said head coach Keegan Cook. "I'm thankful for his mentorship of our student-athletes and proud of his development within our program. The University of Minnesota continues to be a transformational institution
Taylor was a AVCA All-Northwest Region Honorable Mention and won her first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award in November. Myers, a sixth-year senior transfer, had the best season of her collegiate career both offensively and defensively. She earned AVCA All-Northwest Region Honorable Mention honors and made the Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament Team.
The Gophers volleyball program is in the midst of searching for an assistant coach to fill out the staff, joining head coach Keegan Cook, GM/assistant Nellie Coleman and assistant coach Spencer Wickens.
Mendes (MLV Minnesota) joins Jonathan Winder (Pepperdine), Leslie Gabriel (Washington), Jason Mansfield (Kansas State), and Kristen Kelsay (Michigan State) as the fifth assistant coach to be hired as a head coach in Cook's eleven seasons as a head coach.
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