Illinois volleyball has found its new assistant coach. Illinois athletics announced on Tuesday, via a press release, that head coach Chris Tamas has named Eli Sharping the new assistant coach for the volleyball program.

The team was in need of a new assistant staffer after former coach Alfred Reft left the program for an associate coaching position at the University of San Diego.

Sharping’s latest coaching experience comes with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee volleyball team from 2017-2019. He was an assistant coach for three seasons before accepting the job with the Illini. In those three seasons, the team went 46-46; but last year alone, the team made a huge jump, going from 8-22 in 2018 to 26-6 in 2019.

“I am so humbled and grateful to be able to join the Fighting Illini family,” Sharping said, per Illinois Athletics. “Growing up a University of Illinois fan, this is truly a special moment for me. I will be forever appreciative for my time in Milwaukee and to all those who have supported me on this journey. Throughout this process and in my conversations with the staff and Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Sara Burton, it is easy to see why U of I is such a special place. Everyone here is committed to excellence both on and off the court and I cannot wait to help continue the tradition of Illini volleyball. I am so thankful to Coach Tamas and the entire athletic department for this unbelievable opportunity.”

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