 Bechard during a radio interview in 2015 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | Grinnell, Kansas |
| Alma mater | Fort Hays State University, 1980 |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1985-1997 | Barton Cougars |
| 1998–2024 | Kansas Jayhawks |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 1,212-403 (496-313 at KU) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Big 12 Conference Champions (2016) NCAA Tournament Regional Champions (2015) Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (14x) | |
| Awards | |
| Big 12 Coach of the Year (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016) American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, class of 2025 NJCAA Volleyball Hall of Fame, class of 1998 | |
Ray Bechard is an American volleyball coach who served as head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks women's volleyball program from 1998 to 2024. He is the winningest coach in Kansas volleyball history and led the Jayhawks to the 2015 NCAA Final Four and the 2016 Big 12 Conference regular season championship. [1] [2]
Bechard announced his retirement from coaching on Dec. 27, 2024. [3] [4]
He was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2025, [5] [6] and the National Junior College Athletic Association Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bechard guided KU to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the Sweet Sixteen and a stretch of six consecutive bids from 2012 to 2017. The Jayhawks finished with an AVCA Top 25 ranking seven times during his tenure, including a No. 4 ranking in 2015. He holds more than 1,100 career wins across four decades of coaching, including 13 seasons at Barton County Community College.
| Player | Year |
|---|---|
| Camryn Turner | 2024 Third Team |
| Toyosi Onabanjo | 2024 Honorable Mention |
| Ainise Havili | 2014 Honorable Mention 2015 First Team 2016 Third Team 2017 Honorable Mention |
| Kelsie Payne | 2015 First Team 2016 First Team 2017 Third Team |
| Madison Rigdon | 2016 Honorable Mention 2017 Honorable Mention |
| Cassie Wait | 2016 Honorable Mention |
| Chelsea Albers | 2013 Honorable Mention 2014 Honorable Mention |
| Sara McClinton | 2013 Honorable Mention |
| Erin McNorton | 2013 Honorable Mention |
| Caroline Jarmoc | 2012 Second Team 2013 Third Team |
| Josi Lima | 2003 Honorable Mention |