Matt Houk - Head Volleyball Coach - Staff Directory (2024)

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Matt Houk made his first season at Montana State a memorable one. And, as he enters his second season at the helm of the Bobcat volleyball program the foundation for excellence is laid, and the culture of grittiness, bravery, and resiliency has become the cornerstone for future success.

Houk guided Montana State to a 24-9 overall mark and a 12-4 Big Sky Conference ledger in his inaugural season. Both marks are the best in Bobcat volleyball history. MSU finished second in the league standings, its highest showing ever.

The Bobcats entered the Big Sky Conference Tournament as the No. 3 seed and dispatched Montana in straight sets for its second consecutive win over its rival. MSU downed Eastern Washington 3-1 in semifinal action to set up MSU’s first ever appearance in a Big Sky title match. The Bobcats came up short in its search for the program’s first ever NCAA bid falling to Weber State in five sets.

With its successful 2023 resume’, Montana State played in its first postseason national tournament and advanced to the Fab Four of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship with victories over Pacific, Sacramento State, and Wyoming. MSU lost to eventual champion Wichita State in semifinal play. It marked the first time a Bobcat volleyball squad played into the second week of December.

On the court, Houk mentored senior Kira Thomsen and junior Jourdain Kamps to First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors. Thomsen, who also earned NIVC All-Tournament kudos, led the Big Sky in total kills, kills per set, points, points per set, service aces, and total attacks. Her 1,530 total attacks with the third highest at the NCAA Division I level, and her 550 total kills ranked sixth in the country as did her 626.5 points.

Houk’s team ranked among the top 25 in the nation in total attacks (4,613), team kills (1,685), team service aces (220), and team assists (1,546). Off the court, he saw ten Bobcats earn Big Sky Conference All-Academic mention.

Prior to his move to Bozeman, Houk served nine seasons at the University of Minnesota, including the last four years as associate head coach.

Houk began his stint with the Gophers in the spring of 2014 and played an integral role assisting former Minnesota head coach Hugh McCutcheon to three Final Fours, four Elite Eight’s and eight Sweet 16 appearances. During that span, the Gophers captured the 2015 and 2018 Big Ten titles. Houk was also instrumental in recruiting multiple top 10-ranked classes, including the No. 1 overall class in 2020.

With the Gophers, Houk oversaw the setters and defensive specialists. He worked primarily with Big Ten Setter of the Year and four-time All-American Samantha Seliger-Swenson for four seasons. On the defensive side, he was instrumental as the Gophers improved from 13.66 digs per set in 2014, to 15.50 per set in 2015. Individually, he worked with libero CC McGraw, who garnered numerous national accolades, including being named a two-time AVCA All-American and a 2022 Academic All-America honoree. McGraw finished her career third on the all-time Gophers dig chart with 1,924 saves.

Houk also developed and mentored setter Melani Shaffmaster. Shaffmaster was named AVCA All-North Region, All-Big Ten First Team, and captured Big Ten Setter of the Week honors on two occasions.

Houk joined Minnesota after a successful six-year stint as head coach at the University of South Dakota. At USD, he saw the Coyotes transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. In his tenure in Vermillion, Houk posted a 97-85 record and accumulated a .533 win percentage, the best win in school history.

In his final year at USD, Houk recruited and coached 2013 Summit League Player of the Year, Kendall Kritenbrink, as she was also named an AVCA All-America honorable mention. Under Houk's guidance, USD placed three on the 2013 All-Summit League volleyball team. He also helped the Coyotes change from the Great West Conference to the Summit League in 2011 and a sixth-place finish in the standings their inaugural year. In his first year with the Coyotes, Houk propelled the 2009 edition to a 23-4 mark, which tied a school record for wins in a season.

Prior to his time at South Dakota, Houk was an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay from 2004-06. During his three seasons with the Phoenix, five players were named to the All-Horizon League team and six student-athletes earned academic all-league honors. He began his Division I coaching career at Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2002-03 where the Panthers combined for a 45-19 record with 20-win seasons both years.

A former athlete himself, Houk played Division I baseball for Milwaukee as a shortstop. With the Panthers, Houk held a career .342 batting average and was named to the program’s 20th anniversary team in 2011.

A native of Waukesha, Wis., Houk graduated in 2002 from Milwaukee where he earned an English degree. Houk’s wife Jen (MSU Associate Head Coach) was also a member of the Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball coaching staff. He hasthree children, Jaeden, Cole and Jorie.

What some of the nation's top coaches had to say when Matt Houk was named head coach at Montana State:

Hugh McCutcheon – Assistant AD/Sport Development Coach
University of Minnesota
Head Coach at Minnesota 2012-22; 2018 AVCA Coach of the Year; 2012 USA Women’s Olympic Coach (Silver-London)

“This is a great hire. Matt is an exceptional teacher and coach - and he knows how to build a cultureof sustainable success. It's an exciting time for Bobcat Volleyball!”

Jen Flynn Oldenburg – Head Volleyball Coach
Ohio State University

“Congrats to Montana State with the hiring of Matt Houk! Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and competitive spirit that will translate well into the Big Sky Conference. I’ve gotten to know Matt as a coach across the net as well as a colleague during one of our Big Ten Diversity Mentoring programs. There is no question that he will put the welfare of the student-athletes first and foremost while teaching and competing at a high level. I wish him and his family the absolute best with this new endeavor.”

Katie Schumacher-Cawley – Head Volleyball Coach
Penn State University

“I am thrilled for Matt, Jen, and their family as they take on this new challenge. I have known Matt since the beginning of my coaching career as we both coached in the Horizon League. Matt has always made a positive impact on the sport and the people around him. I am confident that Matt will be exceptional at Montana State.”

Rob Neilson – Head Volleyball Coach
Utah State University

“Matt is a coach I have greatly admired over the last decade, as we met at the beginning of his time on the Minnesota staff with Hugh McCutcheon (one of my mentors and coaching heroes). Matt has been an integral part of their success these past nine seasons. His knowledge of the game and intelligence make him a great teacher, his integrity and thoughtfulness make him a great mentor, and his compassion, vision and humility make him a great leader. The student-athletes at Montana State and the community of Bozeman will love the Houks!”

Leanne Williamson – Head Volleyball Coach
University of South Dakota

“I am so excited for Matt. Matt is great at forming relationships while helping develop student-athletes in each area of their lives. I am confident that Montana State will thrive under his leadership, and the student athletes will have a great experience!”