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 worked with Ulmer even before at 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.
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 has guided Grand Canyon to its first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship as well as helping the team bag its first NCAA tournament victory last year. The new Jayhawks staff was also named the AVCA Coach of the Year.
Matt Ulmer will have two former Oregon assistants on his staff at Kansas: Erik Dillard and Arica Nassar.
Matt Merle was in his 10th season as the men’s coach at Grand Canyon before joining the Jayhawks. Maggie Bowen and Tori Miller-Hohlios will remain in their positions at KU. https://t.co/cU2Bey9arL
— Lincoln Arneal (@Lincoln_VB) February 4, 2025
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 Bechard to 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.
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