Western New Mexico University Athletics

With over 550 wins under his belt, Mustang Volleyball Coach Jim Callender has been around the block a time or two.

The Western Illinois University graduate has taken programs that were near DOA status and changed them into championship caliber teams more than a few times. His situation was no different at WNMU.

Upon his arrival at WNMU for the 1998 season, Callender took a program that was most likely the worst in Division II and took them to the conference tournament that year in the incredibly difficult Pac-West. That turnaround season, which went from “Oh-fer” to .500, was one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the country.

The impressive improvement continues as his 2006 team is coming off an RMAC regular season championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional. Over the past four years, the Mustangs have knocked off numerous top ten programs, and the fruits of those efforts continue to pay dividends in the recruiting wars. Callender has made WNMU a big stop in the national arena for quality recruits.

Prior to his arrival at WNMU, Coach Callender saw considerable success at virtually all levels of collegiate volleyball. With winning records from Division I Memphis State to DIII member St. Mary’s University (Minnesota), Callender is a major player in the national volleyball community, serving on numerous district, regional, and national committees. He also served successfully as head coach at Peru State, Mundelein College, and Western Oregon.

In addition to his collegiate ties, Callender served for over 20 years as a head coach at the USA Volleyball Development Camps, as well as being a clinician for the organization and its summer camps.

His sparkling coaching career has seen 44 all-district and 14 all-Americans, in addition to numerous all-Academic award recipients.

His WNMU teams are perennially atop the athletic GPA standings, as academics remains one of the main factors behind his recruiting scheme.

As a player, he campaigned for Brigham Young University’s (BYU) men’s program, where he also served as a graduate assistant while working on his doctorate in athletic administration.

Callender received his Bachelor of Business Administration from BYU (1980) and his Master of Business Administration from Western Illinois University (1982). In addition, he is near completion of his Doctorate of Education from Brigham Young University.

Callender is an active member in the Rotary Club and High Desert Humane Society.