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On December 15, the NCAA Regional final will showcase two teams competing whose coaches didn’t begin their journey as volleyball players. Instead, they were drawn to the sport purely out of passion. And that passion has earned them everything in their positions. Nebraska Huskers’ coach John Cook holds a phenomenal record. His squad has entered the Regional final for the 11th time in the last 12 editions of the NCAA contest. On the other hand, Kelly Sheffield’s Wisconsin Badgers have earned another chance to play against the Big Red this season.

A victory over the nemesis will give them the ticket to enter the final four. Furthermore, the taste of victory will settle the score for the Badgers. Remember, in the regular season, the Huskers handed them a series defeat. So, a lot of things will be at stake on Sunday. Will Coach Sheffield be able to respond to the challenge suitably? This season, his squad carries a record of 26-6, whereas in the away games, the record is 9-3. Would it generate hope while opposing Nebraska volleyball? Critics bet on Sheffield’s character as a defining element. But what is his character? What do his records signify? 

How were Kelly Sheffield’s starting days in the coaching position? 

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Two names held the platform for Kelly Sheffield. One is Indiana, his native place, and another is Ball State, his alma mater. Apart from this, a vital lesson worked for him, “It’s not a Me, it’s a We. There’s so much that has to happen for all of this to come together. It’s not a one-man show.” Born and raised in Indiana, Sheffield seems firm in those lines. The best part is that he often reminds his mentees of the key part of those words and he also reflects on that. The result?

From 1989 to 1998, he was at the helm of two junior volleyball teams: Houston Juniors and Munciana (Ind.) Volleyball Club. Keeping his lesson to his heart, Sheffield landed a massive success in both folds. Before that, Sheffield started his coaching journey at Muncie Burris High School as a varsity assistant. His team secured two state titles and a national championship. Such a streak of success subsequently earned him calls from the universities but his feet only settled in Albany. 

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Can Kelly Sheffield's Badgers finally overcome the Huskers' dominance and rewrite their rivalry history?

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From 2001 to 2007, college volleyball witnessed someone changing the outset of a team using his magic wand. Sheffield, the two-time America East Coach of the Year, guided the Great Danes to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Among those, the program was highlighted by a second-round run in 2007. Not only that, under Sheffield’s leadership, Albany claimed consecutive conference tournament championships. In 2008, he shifted to Dayton. 

Under Kelly Sheffield’s tutelage, Dayton secured four consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference championships and participated in five straight NCAA tournaments. The Flyers achieved their first-ever perfect 14-0 record in the A10 during the 2012 title run. Ultimately, they won the conference tournament and progressed to the second round of the NCAA tournament. In the end, Dayton was ranked 19th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25 poll as a reward for maintaining a ranking throughout the season. This stood to be a stunning achievement for the camp. However, the next seismic shift came in 2012 when Kelly Sheffield stepped into Wisconsin. 

What has Kelly Sheffield achieved with the Wisconsin Badgers? 

In December 2012, Kelly Sheffield assumed the head coaching position of the Wisconsin Badgers. That was the new dawn for the Badgers. How? In Sheffield’s inaugural season, the Badgers finished tied for fourth place in the Big Ten. Also, they were ranked second by the AVCA and became the lowest seed in NCAA history to qualify for the championship. Hold on, there are a few more. The achievement marked the program’s first tournament appearance since 2007. It also marked the Badgers’ first championship appearance since 2000.

Under Sheffield, Wisconsin has achieved unparalleled success at the NCAA level. The Badgers are now among only three teams that have reached the Sweet 16 for the past 11 consecutive years, including four appearances in the Final Four. In 2021, the Badgers captured their first NCAA Championship in program history. Additionally, the Badgers were the NCAA runner-ups in both 2013 and 2019. Success also followed them in 2020 and 2023 when they reached the Final Four. Apart from those, there remained a few more gems. 

The 2024 is not the only time for the Badgers to show up in the NCAA Regional final. Rather, Wisconsin made it to the Elite Eight in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022, and reached the Sweet 16 in 2015 and 2017. Over the last 11 years of the NCAA competition, Wisconsin holds a record of 39-10.

Is Sheffield the winningest coach in the Badgers’ history? 

On October 24 this year, Kelly Sheffield entered history. On that day, the Wisconsin Badgers edged out Indiana, the program from Sheffield’s nativity. However, with the victory earned in Wilkinson Hall, Bloomington stood 306th in Sheffield’s coaching career in Wisconsin. With the number, he went past Pete Waite, who once coached the Badgers for 13 long years! In the same list of phenomenal coaches of Badgers, John Cook also sits tight in the third position. How would that be for Sheffield? 

However, after attaining such an achievement, Kelly Sheffield became emotional. He laid out, “It’s a lot of support (here). This sport is really important to our university, to our fanbase and they make decisions that have allowed us to go out and get really good people.” The historical stint also gained him a lot of achievements. 

What are the accomplishments in the vast career? 

Kelly Sheffield’s list of accomplishments frames a lot of titles earned from the major banners. Here’s the list: 

  • 2004 America East Conference Coach of the Year 
  • 2006 America East Conference Coach of the Year 
  • 2010 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year 
  • 2010 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year 
  • 2011 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year 
  • 2012 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year 
  • 2012 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year 
  • 2013 Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year 
  • 2014 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year 
  • 2014 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year 
  • 2016 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year 
  • 2019 Big Ten Coach of the Year 
  • 2019 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year 
  • 2022 Big Ten Coach of the Year 
  • 2022 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year 
  • 2023 AVCA Northeast Region Co-Coach of the Year 

Kelly Sheffield’s jaw-dropping salary also headlined once. 

What is Kelly Sheffield’s salary with the Badgers? 

Because of his scintillating performance as a coach for the Wisconsin Badgers, the program authority decided to reward Kelly Sheffield. No, it was not about any medal or memento. Instead, Sheffield landed a fresh contract in June this year. The contract has raised his base salary to $575,000. The agreement has been extended until the 2028 season. It also features an annual increment of $25,000. Previously, he signed a contract that began with a base salary of $474,445. But now, Sheffield’s contract holds so many branches. 

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Meanwhile, the agreement includes clauses that elevate Sheffield’s base salary in line with team achievements. It would take precedence over the annual $25,000 increase. After any season that UW secures a Big Ten championship or advances to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Sheffield’s base salary would rise by $50,000. An appearance in the Final Four would warrant a $75,000 increase while making it to the championship game would lead to an $85,000 hike.

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Wait, the creamiest part has yet to come. The achievement, like winning a national title, would increase to $100,000. The news of this extension made the 54-year-old coach post on X, “So appreciative of the new contract and commitment. Fired up for future of Badgers volleyball.” The future is now depending on December 15, when the Badgers will face the Huskers. 

The coach has already cleared his side, commenting, “We’ve got a lot of experienced talent that has accomplished a lot individually and collectively. But it’s a group that has put aside its individual egos for the team.” The onus will be on Sarah Franklin and others who will enter the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Sunday for the third time this season. 

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Can Kelly Sheffield's Badgers finally overcome the Huskers' dominance and rewrite their rivalry history?