Bill Ferguson never quite got the chance to see his efforts come to fruition.
As an assistant coach under head coach Pat Powers of the USC men's volleyball team for two seasons from 1997-98, Ferguson played a large role in recruiting the No. 3 and No. 1 recruiting classes during those years, respectively.
Ferguson left to pursue other club volleyball interests, only to see his recruits go on to win two conference championships.
"I kind of felt like I had some unfinished business," Ferguson said.
Eight years after leaving USC the first time, Ferguson got the chance to attend to his unfinished business when he was hired to replace Turhan Douglas as the head coach for the Trojans in 2006.
"It was an unbelievable day," Ferguson said. "I had kind of hoped that it was going to come when coach Douglas resigned. It was something that I had always had in the back of my mind.
"It was really the only collegiate job I had ever wanted."
Already an established coach in the world of club and USA volleyball, Ferguson returned to the school that he watched play for so many years growing up.
"Looking back as a kid, there were so many of the players and coaches that were here," Ferguson said. "Late '70s, all the way through the '80s and '90s, they were a great influence on me and made me want to be a part of this."
Now, nearing the end of his second season as head coach, Ferguson's days on the outside of Trojan volleyball seem all but forgotten. Fresh off a thrilling comeback against No. 5 Pepperdine last weekend, Ferguson has his team thinking playoffs.
With the win, the Trojans not only clinched a playoff berth, but also won their 13th game of the season, breaking the record for the most in the program's history, set the previous year in Ferguson's first season.
This year's team currently sits in a tie for sixth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference with 10 wins, also a new USC record.
Before you snicker that the Trojans' newfound success only puts them at 13 wins and sixth in the standings, remember that in the world of men's volleyball, the MPSF is king.
Ten MPSF teams occupy the top 15 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches' Poll and in no other league would a team with a .500 record be ranked in the top-15 as the Trojans are now.
Ferguson's success hasn't been coincidental either. Over the last two years, Ferguson has worked feverishly to improve the competition within his team, something evident by the 31 players Ferguson currently lists on his roster.
"I wanted to make sure there was a competitive environment that was in the gym every day," Ferguson said. "Whichever way you slice it, we are always going to maintain the quality of volleyball when we play when we [are] in the gym."
Changing the team's mind-set, however, was another matter.
After enduring several years that are graciously described as a "struggle," Ferguson set out to change the entire culture of men's volleyball at USC.
"We had to start over from square one with everybody," Ferguson said. "And that included the upperclassmen that were here at the time, and to start teaching the younger guys what it was all about.
"It's something you get just by living like you're playing for a championship, rather than just showing up and taking time out of your day. We told the guys from the get-go that our goal is to win a national championship, period."
The team's veterans such as this week's co-MPSF Player of the Week, Juan Figueroa, and Jimmy Killian have meshed with newcomers such as Murphy Troy and Tri Bourne to put Ferguson's high-reaching goals into motion on the court.
"We want to win the right way," Ferguson said. "We want these guys to leave 'SC having a positive experience. When you have confidence that that's the motivation for what you're doing then that makes it easier. I think they just respect the fact that we want to win."
Winning the right way.
Those words can't be said enough in college sports.
I got to know Ferguson last season when I covered the team throughout the season for the Daily Trojan. During that time, Ferguson always took enough time to speak with me for game previews and after games on the court - win or lose.
Remember, this isn't basketball or football where coaches have no choice but to address the media. This is men's volleyball where a coach could easily duck a reporter whenever he feels like it. Not only did Ferguson take time after each game, he always made sure to thank me for his team's coverage.
Having already eclipsed the success of last year's team - maybe I was just bad luck while I covered them (I also covered the men's basketball team this year) - the Trojans have a shot to make some noise in the playoffs, something Ferguson has prepared them to do all season.
And after this year, Ferguson counts on having plenty of more chances to bring USC volleyball to the precipice of success.
"I want to retire as the head volleyball coach," Ferguson said with a smile. "I want this to be my last job."
- To comment on this article, visit www.dailytrojan.com or e-mail Joe at jsturner@usc.edu.
