After spending 14 years with the Wisconsin volleyball team, head coach Pete Waite announced he has decided to step down Monday effective immediately, according to the UW athletic department.
“I’ve decided to resign from my position to allow someone else the opportunity to take this program back to the top of the Big Ten,” Waite said in a release Monday. “We have some very good players in the program right now and have signed three excellent recruits for 2013. I wish them all nothing but success and I look forward to following the rest of their careers.”
Waite put together a 305-146 record with the Badgers after joining the program in 1999, including back-to-back Big Ten Conference championships (2000, 2001). He also led his team to nine NCAA Tournaments during his tenure, finishing as high as second place (2000).
“I would like to thank Pete for his years of service to the Wisconsin volleyball program,” Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said in a release. “He always ran his program with respect and dignity, and was a good representative of the athletic department. We wish him all the best.”
In his time with the Badgers, Waite coached 20 first-team All-Big Ten honorees, 14 all-region nominees, 10 All-Americans and two conference players of the year.
His athletes excelled in the classroom in addition to on the floor, as 91 of his players earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
“I want to thank [former Athletic Director] Pat Richter for hiring me and Barry Alvarez for his support,” Waite said. “I want to thank all of the players, assistant coaches, fans and support staff in the department who have helped us along the way. ”
The university announced that a nationwide search for Waite’s replacement would begin immediately.
