Bronco Volleyball Coach Signs Contract Extension

Jan. 24, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University volleyball coach Jon Wallace has received a contract extension through the 2007 season after leading the Broncos to a fourth-consecutive post-season appearance and the highest national ranking in school history last season, Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick announced today.

"Jon is, without a doubt, one of the brightest young coaches in the country and has our program on track to compete for a national title," said Levick. "He has proven that he can build a winner and maintain a high level of success. From recruiting to coaching strategy to student-athlete welfare, Jon has shown that he is committed to Santa Clara University and his student-athletes. I'm pleased that Jon will be a major part our plan to guide Santa Clara to national athletics prominence."

Wallace, 36, signed a four-year agreement to remain the Broncos' mentor following a successful season that saw Santa Clara earn its fourth-straight NCAA Tournament berth and program-best regular-season national ranking of 11th. With a 91-33 overall record, he currently has the highest winning percentage and the third-most wins of any coach in Santa Clara history. His .822 winning percentage against West Coast Conference opponents is the second-highest in league history. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We have built a great tradition of success here at Santa Clara University and I am excited to continue to take the program to new heights," said Wallace, who joined Santa Clara in 1999. "Our players, coaches and administration all share in a common goal -- to win a national championship. We all are working together to provide the best possible opportunity to make that happen. The synergy here is exciting and that is a significant reason why I am thrilled to be able to remain at Santa Clara University."

A 1989 graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Wallace was a second-team volleyball All-America selection and helped lead the Gauchos to the national championship match in the 1988 NCAA Tournament. He served as a setter for the two-time U.S. Volleyball Association champion Nike squad and played in the popular Bud Light Four-Man Beach Tour. Wallace began his coaching career at Corona del Mar High School and had stops at Orange Coast Community College, Golden West Community College and Pepperdine University before arriving at Santa Clara.

"Our players, coaches and administration all share in a common goal -- to win a national championship. We all are working together to provide the best possible opportunity to make that happen." Jon Wallace

In his first season at Santa Clara, Wallace led the Broncos to a 21-11 record and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He followed that with a 2000 campaign that yielded a 25-7 mark, the most wins in school history, and the program's first WCC title in seven seasons. In 2001, the Broncos earned the program's first-ever preseason national ranking, finished with a 19-11 record and a third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Last season, Wallace led Santa Clara to a 24-7 record and final national ranking of 19th in the nation. The Broncos advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight season and junior outside hitter Becky Potter earned the school's first-ever All-America honors. Junior setter Kelli Sousa led the nation and set a NCAA record for assists and the Broncos finished second in the WCC regular-season standings with a 12-2 record, the second-best in school history.