EL PASO, TEXAS –
Ben Wallis, who has guided the UTEP volleyball program to unprecedented heights during his seven seasons at the helm, has signed a contract extension that will keep him as the Miners' head coach through August 2031.
"Ben has done an absolutely remarkable job leading this program and we're delighted to keep him in El Paso," UTEP Vice President and Director of Athletics
Jim Senter said. "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."
Since taking over the program in 2019, Wallis has led the Miners to a 142-65 (.686) overall record, including a 74-28 (.725) mark in conference play. His .686 winning percentage is the best in program history, while his 142 victories rank second behind Norm Brandl, who coached UTEP for 23 seasons from 1976-98.
Over the last three seasons, Wallis has led UTEP to an average of 25 wins per season, three consecutive postseason appearances, and some of the most successful seasons in program history. The Miners finished as the 2023 NIVC runner-up before earning back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025, including a No. 6 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
In 2025, Wallis was named Conference USA Coach of the Year after guiding the Miners to their first conference regular-season championship in program history. UTEP finished the season 25-5 overall and 15-1 in conference play, with the 15 conference victories establishing a program record.
The program's success under Wallis has also translated to increased support throughout the El Paso community. Average attendance at Memorial Gym has nearly tripled during his tenure, rising from 581 fans in his first season in 2019 to 1,652 in 2025.
UTEP has also experienced five sellouts during Wallis' tenure, including three during the Miners' 2023 NIVC run, a 2025 home-opening crowd against then-No. 24 UCLA and a record-setting crowd for the 2026 home opener against New Mexico State. The 2026 Borderland rivalry match drew 3,176 fans to Club Memorial, establishing a new UTEP regular-season attendance record.
Off the court, Wallis' teams have continued to excel academically. The Miners have posted team grade-point averages of 3.70 and 3.53 over the last two seasons, continuing a sustained stretch of academic success for the program.
Wallis said the decision to remain in El Paso was an easy one for his family and his staff as the Miners begin a new chapter in the Mountain West.
"My family and I are so excited to be able to sign this extension," Wallis said. "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. 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. We're very thankful for President Heather Wilson,
Jim Senter and the executive staff for believing in us so greatly and showing it by extending me and my group for the next five years. Always working, but the future is brighter than ever here at Club Memorial. Picks up, Go Miners!"
Since Wallis' arrival, UTEP has established itself as one of the Mountain West's premier volleyball programs entering its first season in the league. The Miners were selected first in the 2026 Mountain West Preseason Poll, receiving four first-place votes.
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