Kansas Jayhawks hire Oregon volleyball coach Matt Ulmer as successor to Ray Bechard
Matt Ulmer, head volleyball coach at Oregon since 2017, has been named the Kansas Jayhawks’ successor to Ray Bechard, KU athletic director Travis Goff announced Friday.
Ulmer signed a six-year contract through the 2030 season. Bechard retired last month after 27 seasons at Kansas.
“In bringing coach Ulmer to KU, we have paired one of the premier coaches in the game with one of the premier programs in the country,” Goff said in a statement issued by KU Athletics. “Thanks to a strong foundation, history of success and our demonstrated commitment to volleyball, there was exceptional interest in this position from some of the most accomplished coaches in the sport.
“Matt stood alone due to his elite track record, impeccable reputation, devotion to developing student-athletes and his vision for an even brighter future for Kansas volleyball. We are confident he will carry on the tradition that Ray Bechard established in his 27 seasons as our passionate leader.”
Ulmer, who guided Long Beach State to a beach volleyball title in 2013, compiled a .683 winning percentage (166-77) in eight seasons at Oregon. He led the Ducks to seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ulmer’s Oregon teams reached three Elite Eights and five Sweet 16s and won at least one game in six of the program’s seven postseason appearances. The Ducks won at least 22 matches in each of their last four seasons, with a pair of Elite Eight appearances, one Sweet 16 and serving as NCAA regional hosts three times in that span.
Oregon finished inside the top 10 of the AVCA Division I Poll in each of the last three seasons and has advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament annually during that timeframe.
“I’d like to thank chancellor (Douglas) Girod, Travis Goff and Nicole Corcoran (senior women’s administrator) for giving my family and I this opportunity to lead Kansas volleyball,” Ulmer said in a news release about his hire. “We are humbled and blessed to have the chance to continue what coach Bechard and the alumni have built.
“The character and grit that Kansas volleyball shows year in-and-year-out is something that every program should strive for. My staff and I are ready to give our all for the future success of Jayhawk volleyball. I’m beyond excited to get to Lawrence and meet the team, start practice and get better every day. I can’t wait to hear the ‘Rock Chalk Jayhawk’ chants in Horejsi (Family Volleyball Arena). The past 11 seasons in Eugene have given us memories and relationships that will last forever.”
Ulmer arrived at Oregon in 2014 as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in 2016. The following season, he was installed as the seventh head coach in program history.
Prior to his time in Eugene, Ulmer worked at Long Beach State from 2009-13. He was the school’s head women’s beach volleyball coach in 2013 and was an assistant coach for the indoor team for five years. He also served as a volunteer assistant at Long Beach State from 2007-08.
This past season, Ulmer and the Ducks went 24-8 (14-6 in the Big Ten) and advanced to the Sweet 16. The Ducks played host to an NCAA regional, beating High Point and No. 20 TCU before falling at No. 1 Pittsburgh in five sets and finishing No. 10 in the final AVCA poll.
Before getting into coaching, Ulmer played at Carthage College. A setter, he helped lead Carthage to two national championship appearances and earned first-team D-III All-America honors as a senior. He also was an assistant coach for the Carthage women’s volleyball team from 2002-06.
Ulmer earned an undergraduate degree from Carthage in 2006 and also got his master’s degree there (in 2008). He and his wife, Kara, have four children: Camden (11), Harper (9), Harlow (3) and Easton (1).
