Oregon loses volleyball coach Matt Ulmer to Kansas, begins national search for new leader

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