EL PASO, Texas — The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has announced a significant move for its volleyball program, extending head coach Ben Wallis's contract through August 2031. This decision underscores the university's commitment to building a competitive and successful volleyball team.
On Thursday, UTEP revealed that Wallis would remain as the head coach, a role he has held since taking over in 2019. His leadership has been pivotal in transforming the Miners into a formidable force in collegiate volleyball. UTEP Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Senter expressed his enthusiasm for Wallis's continued presence, stating, "Ben has done an absolutely remarkable job leading this program and we’re delighted to keep him in El Paso. Under his leadership, UTEP Volleyball has soared to unprecedented heights, winning a conference championship and making the only postseason appearances in school history. We’re looking forward to continued success in the Mountain West."
Wallis's tenure has been marked by impressive achievements, particularly in the last three seasons, where the Miners averaged 25 wins per season. This includes back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025, a feat that highlights the program's upward trajectory since Wallis took the reins. In contrast, prior to his arrival, UTEP averaged only eight wins per season from 2013 to 2018 under former coach Holly Watts.
Reflecting on his extension, Wallis shared his excitement and gratitude, saying, “My family and I are so excited to be able to sign this extension. We love the Sun City, the program we’ve revitalized, the diverse culture here, our Memorial Maniacs, our church and the life we’ve created here in El Paso. It’s a great city for my family, but equally as important is how dedicated our administration, donors and University are to helping us compete for and win championships each season in the Mountain West.”
Wallis also acknowledged the support from his coaching staff and the university's leadership, emphasizing the collaborative effort that has contributed to the program's success. He stated, “Club Memorial is a special place to play, and my staff – Traimain, Rikah, Courtney, Alex, Nick and Tatyana – is a great blessing to work with daily. We’d be foolish to go anywhere but here to continue our pursuit of more championships for the Miners.”
As UTEP prepares for the upcoming 2026 season, expectations are high. The Miners have been named the preseason favorites to win the Mountain West Conference in their inaugural season in the league. This marks a significant milestone for the program as it seeks to establish itself in a new competitive environment.
UTEP will kick off its 2026 campaign this weekend at the Southwest Showdown in Corpus Christi, where Wallis and his team will aim to build on their recent successes. While specific financial details of Wallis's contract extension have not been disclosed, the commitment reflects UTEP's ambition to foster a thriving volleyball program in the years to come.
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