Gokhan Yilmaz joins UA volleyball staff

FAYETTEVILLE — Gokhan Yilmaz joined the University of Arkansas volleyball staff as an assistant coach, head coach Chris Poole announced recently. Yilmaz replaces Jenny Wilson who resigned in May to pursue a career in the medical field. "We’re very excited to have Gokhan join our staff," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "He’s a talented young coach who knows how to work hard. He knows what Arkansas volleyball is all about from his time with our team as a volunteer coach. I feel confident that he’ll come in here and work hard to help us take that next step." Yilmaz is not new to the Arkansas program as he joins in a full-time position this year. His first exposure to Arkansas came in the spring of 2005 when he worked with the Lady Razorbacks as a volunteer coach. He departed Fayetteville taking a full-time position as the assistant coach at Northwood University in Midland, Mich. While at Northwood, he helped the Timberwolves to a regional semifinal in 2005 with a 23-11 overall record. The Timberwolves were conference runners-up with a 14-4 mark that same season. Last year, Northwood was 16-11 and had three players selected to the 2006 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic all-conference team. Prior to his volunteer season with the Lady Razorbacks, Yilmaz was an assistant at Cameron University during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He previously held a similar position at Western New Mexico University from 2002-03. Before coming to the US, Yilmaz worked for various club programs in Istanbul, Turkey, as well as with the Turkish national team. He has also worked with national team coaches from Cuba, Russia and Bulgaria, assisting in practices and working in the physical training aspect of the game. Yilmaz received his bachelor’s degree in European studies in 2002 from Istanbul University and completed his master’s degree sports psychology while coaching at Cameron in 2005. The Lady Razorbacks open the 2007 season Aug. 24-25, hosting the Arkansas Clarion Inn Invitational in Barnhill Arena. For more information, a schedule and tickets please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.