A legend in Western New York volleyball circles, Sally Kus stepped down from her position as the University at Buffalo head volleyball coach on Jan. 5, after three complete seasons at the helm.
The eighth coach in UB volleyball history, Kus and the Bulls split amicably after her third complete year with the team. Kus cited her lack of desire to log the hours needed to coach at the competitive NCAA Division I level as her main reason for leaving the university.
"I just loved UB so much it was hard to say that I was finally done. I think if I were still at Buffalo, I'd still be coaching. But I didn't leave a full-time job to take another full-time job once I retired from teaching," stated Kus in a phone interview.
"We went to talk with Sally in the postseason," said Bill Maher, UB's interim athletic director. "We looked at what the program needed to move forward and there was agreement ... that we felt it was in the best interest (of the team) to have a full-time coach."
During her three complete seasons, Kus compiled a 28-65 record overall and a 7-43 conference mark.
"As the volleyball program continues to grow at UB, it has become clear to me that a critical component of the program's future success is the need for a full-time coach," Kus said in a press release earlier this month. "I am grateful to the University for offering this opportunity to continue coaching on a full-time basis, but at this point in my life, I am not ready to make that kind of commitment."
In her first season as head coach for the Bulls, she guided the team to nine wins, and in her second season, notched a 5-11 MAC record (11-20 overall), the most for UB since its inception into the conference.
The '04 campaign was not as successful, as the Bulls dipped back into single digits in the win column while dealing with an injury-plagued roster and a young squad, including 12 underclassmen.
A veteran at the high school, collegiate, and club levels of the sport, Kus solidified her place in the WNY sporting community after a 23-year stint as the Sweet Home High School volleyball coach. While there, she garnered national recognition with her 793-29 record - earning her berths in the National Volleyball Hall of Fame and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Following her stint at Sweet Home, Kus experienced continued success as the head coach for Daemen College, where she had a .630 win percentage (92-54) over four years.
"The foundation that (Kus) has laid for our program is apparent, as she has started an upward trend of success in the MAC," said Maher. "But when you look at the younger players on the team, you see the foundation already there."
Meanwhile, the search is on for a replacement for Kus. As important as it will be to win matches, it's equally important, according to Maher, to find a coach to nurture the young UB talent.
"We're looking for a coach who has the ability to continue the national recruitment of the program ... we're not only looking for a Division I coach, but we're looking for someone with Division I connections," said Maher.
However, the Bulls' officials feel secure that the coaching change will not affect the players in the future, especially as Kus' departure was under good terms.
Unfortunately, none of the players were available for comment.
"I think our two juniors (Katie Weekley and Amy Brown) can really handle the change, helping our young kids know that UB will bring in a quality coach who will help them and guide them," said Kus.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
