Volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott lands contract extension, raise
By Steve Lansdale
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas board of regents voted Friday to extend the contract of head coach Jerritt Elliott by a year — through 2018 — and to increase his salary by $67,500, which will increase his total income to $367,500 for the 2016-17 season.
Elliott’s new deal leaves open the possibility of further extension, based on the discretion of the women’s athletic director, and also increases some of his performance-based incentives.
“Texas is where I want to be and it is my home,” Elliott said. “I am thankful and grateful for my administration here at UT for trusting and supporting me to continue to build on the Texas volleyball program’s success and tradition.”
Since taking over the UT program, Elliott — now in his 16th season — has led the Longhorns to one NCAA championship, in 2012, and three additional appearances in the NCAA championship match, in 2009, 2012 and 2015, while posting a winning percentage of .812 (with a record of 388-90).
“Jerritt Elliott has had an amazing run,” women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky said. “Typically, in collegiate volleyball, advancing to the national semifinals is a target. Under Jerritt’s leadership, we’ve been to volleyball’s final four in seven of the last eight years and it’s become a realistic goal every season. In addition, his recruiting has been exceptional — not only in the caliber of athlete we attract to Texas, but also in the caliber of student.
“The cycle has changed to where we are looking at graduating many of our volleyball student-athletes in three-and-a-half years. We are seeing a trend here at Texas where our players are earning their degree after the fall semester of their senior year, and they are able to begin their professional careers that spring. Jerritt and his staff have done a tremendous job of identifying young people in the recruiting process who can excel on the court, in the classroom and in the community and set themselves up for success in life.”
