Oregon is on the market for a new volleyball coach.

Matt Ulmer was named the new coach at Kansas on Friday, ending his successful eight-year run as a Duck.

“My staff and I are ready to give our all for the future success of Jayhawk volleyball,” Ulmer was quoted as saying in press release from Kansas. “I’m beyond excited to get to Lawrence and meet the team, start practice and get better every day.

“The past 11 seasons in Eugene have given us memories and relationships that will last forever.”

Oregon volleyball begins search to replace head coach Matt Ulmer

Oregon assistant Erika Dillard will serve as interim head coach as the athletic department conducts a national search for a new head coach, said Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens in a statement released by the school Friday.

“We look forward to finding a new coach who will build upon the strong foundation in place for our program and provide a world-class student-athlete experience,” Mullens said.

Ulmer guided Oregon volleyball to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances

During his eight seasons as head coach, Ulmer’s teams went 166-77 with seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the Elite Eight and five Sweet 16s.

Oregon won at least 22 matches in each of the last four seasons, including in 2024 when the Ducks went 24-8 overall, 14-6 in their first season of Big Ten Conference play, and made the Sweet 16. Kansas was 25-5 in 2024 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“We want to thank Matt for all of his efforts and successful seasons with the Oregon volleyball program,” Mullens said. “We extend our best wishes to him and his family in this next phase of their journey.”

Ulmer accused of pressuring injured player to transfer or medically retire

Ulmer’s time at Oregon also wasn’t without controversy.

He was named head coach in 2017 after the contentious departure of former coach Jim Moore — the program’s all-time leader with 246 wins — who resigned after complaints about his coaching style and despite nearly two dozen former players publicly voicing support for Moore.

Ulmer, who had been on Moore’s staff for three seasons as an assistant coach or associate head coach, was quickly named Moore’s replacement.

In 2022, former player Taylor Williams made allegations that she was played when she wasn’t healthy, misled by Oregon on the severity of her injury, then was pressured and harassed by Ulmer to either transfer or medically retire. Those allegations led to an independent investigation.

Ducks saw success in 2022, 2023 under Ulmer

On the court in 2022, Ulmer guided the Ducks to a 26-6 record and a 17-3 mark in Pac-12 play to set a program record for conference wins in a season.

Oregon’s postseason run came to an end in a five-set thriller against Louisville in the Elite Eight and the Ducks ended the season ranked No. 7 in the final AVCA poll.

In 2023 the Ducks also finished ranked No. 7 after going 29-6 and making the Elite Eight.

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @chansen_RG

Game time: Jan. 18, 1:00 p.m. EST

Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS

TV: CBS Sports (watch here)

VITALS: Kansas State lost its fourth straight after dropping to Texas Tech Tuesday night. They shot well from 3-point range but were once again dominated in the paint, getting outscored 40 to 18 in that area. Meanwhile, Kansas is coming off a blowout loss to Iowa State. Still, they boast one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just 62.8 points.

PROJECTED STARTERS

WILDCATS

G Brendan Hausen: 12.3 PTS, 2.3 REB, 1.2 AST

G Dug McDaniel: 9.3 PTS, 2.6 REB, 4.1 AST

G Max Jones: 9.0 PTS, 3.8 REB, 2.1 AST

F David N’Guessan: 12.6 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.8 AST

F Coleman Hawkins: 10.6 PTS, 6.9 REB, 3.9 AST

JAYHAWKS

G Zeke Mayo: 14.4 PTS, 4.1 REB, 3.0 AST

G Dajuan Harris Jr.: 9.8 PTS, 2.6 REB, 5.4 AST

G Shakeel Moore: 3.9 PTS, 1.8 REB, 1.4 AST

F Flory Bidunga: 6.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.4 BLK

F Hunter Dickinson: 15.2 PTS, 10.4 REB, 1.6 BLK

QUOTABLE: “We have to just get better,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said after the Texas Tech loss. “It’s not like something’s so broken and we need to get rid of it. We’re constantly tinkering to get it just a little bit better. I was pleased with some of the things that I saw tonight.”

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

The Kansas coaching staff is assembling a strong junior day group of visitors for Saturday. It starts with committed players like James Dunnigan Jr., Jaylen Mason and Hunter Higgins. Three of the top local players in the state will be there and will help recruit.

The junior day gives several players a chance to be around the staff again for those who have made several visits to KU.

Ottawa wide receiver Nate Sims has been on campus several times and attended two games at Arrowhead last season.

“I love to get on campus and talk with the coaches and build strong connections,” Sims said. “The more I visit the better I get to know the coaches and build a good relationship with them.”

Sims said he was looking forward to watching the basketball game against Kansas State and talk with the other recruits.

Kaden Snyder is in the same position as Sims. Both are local recruits who have been on multiple visits and games to Kansas. This will be Snyder’s seventh trip for an unofficial visit.

“I know the coaches pretty well I’ve been around a lot,” Snyder said. “They are great and they care a lot about the program and the players in it. I am not looking for anything specific just talk more and more.”

Snyder said he has been planning to attend the junior day along with his friend Ian Premer. He said the two talked about going to the event together. Premer, from Great Bend, is one of the top tight end prospects in the country and rated the top recruit in Kansas.

There are going to be players from outside the area as well. Owen Linder, an offensive lineman from Minnesota will be making a return visit to the area. He camped at KU last summer and attended a game last season.

“I love getting the chance to back to KU whenever I can,” Linder said. “Going on these visits now, I know the most important thing for me and my family is getting to know the staff and coaches better and these visits help with doing this.”

He said it gives him and his family a chance to ask questions and get to know the staff. It also helps build a relationship with Daryl Agpalsa, the Jayhawks offensive line coach.

“It’s been great getting to know Coach A,” Linder said. “He’s just a great guy that always makes me laugh. Also has given me great advice when I needed it since I’ve know him. It’s been a privilege to get to know him for sure.”

There is an impressive group of visitors expected to visit on Saturday. The confirmed list of players has reached into the double-digits. To see the latest updated list, visit our Junior Day Recruiting Thread.