UCLA's John Hawks Named MPSF Coach of the Year
Photo: John Hawks (by: UCLA Athletics)
2026 MPSF Coach of the Year
JOHN HAWKS · SECOND YEAR · HEAD COACH · UCLA
UCLA Head Coach
John Hawks guided the 2026 Bruins to their conference-high ninth MPSF Championship to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, while owning a national-best 29-1 record (.967). As the last remaining unbeaten team in the nation this year, UCLA was 20-0 for the first time since 1984, nine years before the MPSF’s existence. Of UCLA’s 29 wins, 21 have come over ranked opponents, including 12 wins over the top-10 and five over the top-five, while sweeping 17 opponents during the season. Through the MPSF Tournament, UCLA ranks in the top-five in the nation in multiple categories--first in assists per set, first in hitting percentage, second in kills per set, and fourth in aces per set. Individually, MPSF Player of the Year Andrew Rowan leads the nation in assist average while setting the Bruins to the NCAA’s top offense, which has hit at least .300 in 25 of 30 matches and over .400 in 14 matches. The Bruins placed six student-athletes on the 2026 All-MPSF teams, including a high of four on the first team for the second-straight year. Hawks’ recognition represents the fifth all-time MPSF Coach of the Year award for UCLA (John Speraw-2023; Al Scates-1998, 1997, 1994).