The 2024/25 volleyball transfer portal came under fire at the moment of its inception. Many complained about the window opening too early, as the 2024 NCAA Championships hadn’t even ended. Then Orlando Valkyries coach Amy Pauly made even more sensational claims on December 10. The coach said there were those trying to take advantage of the inconvenient timing, “tampering & reaching out to athletes during the semester.”

However, the chaos didn’t end there, as big names such as Chloe Chicoine, the most decorated freshman in Purdue’s history, entered the transfer portal. Yet, amid the shuffling around talent, Kansas University has landed “The perfect fit” for their team. In a pleasantly surprising move for Jayhawks fans, the university’s program team has signed Oregon’s former coach.

“Matt Ulmer is taking over the volleyball program at Kansas after eight years at Oregon. He led the Ducks to a 166-77 record and seven postseason appearances, including three regional finals. Ulmer also coached Long Beach State to a beach volleyball title in 2013,” wrote journalist and podcast host Lincoln Arneal on X. Ulmer’s appointment comes just two weeks after KU’s longtime coach retired.

On December 27, the Jayhawks announced the departure of coach Ray Bechard. “Thank you, Coach B. After a brilliant career, Coach Bechard is retiring, leaving behind an enduring legacy,” posted the official Kansas volleyball page. However, the switching of coaches has also suddenly created the opportunity for transfer season chaos at both Oregon and Kansas.

According to Lincoln Arneal, Ulmer joining Kansas has given Oregon players the next 30 days to enter the transfer portal if they wish. Meanwhile, Kansas players are already on the extended period after Bechard’s retirement. “They (Kansas) have 10 more days to enter,” explained the reporter. While the coach switch hasn’t yet brought the transfer season chaos to the universities, Ulmer has his work cut out for him.

The college volleyball coach has big shoes to fill

The former Oregon coach won’t find it easy slipping into Coach Bechard’s shoes. After all, his predecessor spent 27 seasons meticulously shaping the Jayhawks into national-level competitors. Four BIG12 Coach of the Year titles and 10 NCAA tournament appearances are just some of the accolades of the coach with the highest winning percentage (.613) in KU’s history.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to fulfill the role as Head Volleyball Coach at the University of Kansas for the last 27 years,” Bechard said in his farewell speech. “I’m proud of what we accomplished during my time at Kansas,” he added. Throughout his career as KU’s coach, Bechard racked up a 496-313 winning record.

So it’s safe to say that despite sorting an impressive 166-77 record himself, Matt Ulmer has huge shoes to fill as the Jayhawks head coach. However, he has achieved a milestone even before getting to coach the team. KU’s newest volleyball coach is the youngest in the program’s history. This shows that the university has a lot of confidence in the young coach.

“We are confident he will carry on the tradition that Ray Bechard established in his 27 seasons as our passionate leader,” said KU athletics director Travis Goff. However, only time will tell if Ulmer can live up to the hype.