After seven seasons as the top man of the Oregon Ducks’ head volleyball coach, Matt Ulmer is settling into his new shoes. In January of this year, the veteran coach was announced as the new HC of the Kansas women’s volleyball team as former coach Ray Bechard took his leave after 27 years with the program. But Matt isn’t coming alone to contribute to the Jayhawks’ volleyball growth.

To make sure Ulmer isn’t short-handed at his new job, Kansas is roping in more experienced coaching personnel from all over the country. Some even have to make tough calls to join the Jayhawks staff.

In an X post by Huskers Illustrated’ Lincoln Arneal from February 4, Matt Ulmer’s new coaching roster has been revealed, and some of the names are pretty jaw-dropping. As per the post, two former Oregon assistant coaches will be helping Matt in his new venture. “Matt Ulmer will have two former Oregon assistants on his staff at Kansas: Erika Dillard and Arica Nassar,” reads the caption of Arneal’s post. Dillard has worked with Ulmer even before Oregon. The coaching duo was also part of Long Beach State’s volleyball program. Nassar, on the other hand, is a former volleyball player with over 1,000 kills under her belt, solidifying her reputation as an expert in the sport. In her three seasons as an assistant coach at Oregon, Nassar mentored All-Pac 12 performers Grace Massey, Kinley Swan, and Izzi Szulczewski.

But that’s not all. Matt Werle will be leaving his post as Grand Canyon men’s volleyball program head coach after a decade at its helm to join Ulmer in Kansas. He is leaving GCU mid-season to answer Ulmer’s call to join the Big 12 powerhouse. Werle guided Grand Canyon to its first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship and helped the team bag its first NCAA tournament victory last year. The new Jayhawks staff was also named the AVCA Coach of the Year.

However, it won’t be all new faces at the Kansas camp this season. Maggie Bowen, a Kansas student-athlete alum, joined the program as Director of Operations in 2017 and will continue her responsibilities under Matt Ulmer’s reign as well. Tori Miller, who joined the Jayhawks squad in 2022, will also be there to ensure the transition from Ray Bechard to Matt Ulmer is made as easy as possible. But right now, all eyes are on the new head coach to see if he can continue his predecessor’s legacy by maintaining the program’s dominant status in the Big 12 circuit.

Matt Ulmer will have big shoes to fill

In 2016, Bechard, the former head coach of Kansas, brought the program its first Big 12 conference title. Not only that. With a 496-313 overall record and a .613 winning percentage, he is also the most successful coach to have ever guided the Ducks. Talk about legendary!

For understandable reasons, the Jayhawks came together at the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena to show their love to the 5x Big 12 Coach Of The Year for one last time before he cleared his office, and Bechard was overwhelmed by the support. “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. I’m proud of what we accomplished during my time at Kansas,” he said in his retirement speech on January 20.

On the other hand, despite the prospect of collaborating with Matt Ulmer, the former GCU coach is feeling a hint of the blues to leave behind his former camp. “It is hard to put into words what my 13 years at GCU has meant to me. I am so grateful for President Brian Mueller, (Vice President of Athletics) and the athletic administration for all their support and for trusting me with this program. I leave with everlasting memories and relationship,” Werle said in a statement.

Ulmer has signed a $2 million contract with Kansas, which is valid until 2030. The high-value deal has put him on the radar as one of the most sought-after elite NCAA volleyball coaches. But will he be able to match up to the high expectations? What do you reckon? Tell us in a comment!