JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After eight seasons at the helm of North Florida Volleyball, Kristen Wright will move on as Head Coach of the program.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Coach Wright for her great leadership and unwavering commitment to the North Florida Volleyball program,” Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow said. “Her contributions have strengthened our program and positively influenced the broader volleyball community. We wish her continued success in all future endeavors.”

During her eight seasons leading the indoor volleyball team, Coach Wright secured numerous historical achievements for the Ospreys: Wright became the first Head Coach in Division I program history to eclipse 100 career wins when North Florida defeated North Alabama, 3-1, on Nov. 3, 2024. Wright posted a winning record of 67-57 record in Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference play. Wright guided the team to a conference-tournament appearance in every season under her leadership. Under Wright, the program secured its first power five win over Virginia Tech on Sept. 3rd, 2021. The 2021 season under Wright marked the winningest in Division I program history with a 25-8, 12-4 ASUN record. Wright guided North Florida to a No. 75 RPI at the end of the season, the highest ranking in Division I program history, reaching No. 49 in October of 2021 and a first ever appearance and fifth place finish in the 2021 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC). The program received three straight years of NIVC invites (2021-2023).

North Florida extended its program-record streak of winning seasons in ASUN Conference play to five in 2024. With Wright’s guidance, it secured its best regular season finishes with second and third respectively in the 2021 (spring) and fall seasons. North Florida protected its home court, posting a winning home record in six of the last seven seasons. Wright totaled a 117-122 record in her eight seasons at North Florida and has accumulated a 197-154 overall record in 12 years in her career as a collegiate Head Coach.

Wright developed 10 All-Conference selections while at the helm. Within North Florida’s 10 All-Conference selections, Wright coached five First Team, three Second Team and two Third Team All-ASUN, six ASUN All-Freshman selections, and 14 CoSIDA All District Selections. Under Wright’s leadership, the Ospreys had 4 Defensive Player of the Year Awards, one Scholar Athlete of the year award, and one AVCA First Team Southeast Region honoree. The Ospreys have excelled in ASUN postseason play under Wright’s guidance with four ASUN All-Tournament Team nods. 

Wright was instrumental in the recruitment and development of former libero Rocio Moro. Moro cemented her decorated legacy with a conference record four-straight ASUN Defensive Player of the Year awards, four-straight First Team All-ASUN selections and a ASUN All-Freshman Team distinction from 2019-23. Wright coached Moro to 2,778 career digs, which remains the most in conference history. Wright recruited and coached, Mahalia White, who was named the 2023 ASUN Preseason Player of the Year, All Conference honoree, and Honda Inspirational Woman of the Year recipient. Wright landed and developed four-time SEC All Conference honoree transfer, Dariana Hollingsworth Santana who went on to be first team ASUN selection.  Wright also led former Osprey Gabby O’Connell to a 2021 ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year selection and to be the first Osprey in the DI-era to earn CoSIDA First Team All-District twice in a career.

Wright led the North Florida Beach Volleyball program from 2018-21, where she notched a 70-56 record. Wright was named the 2021 ASUN Beach Volleyball Coach of the Year and led North Florida to the 2021 ASUN Beach Volleyball Championship title. Wright was instrumental in the momentum and fundraising efforts surrounding building of the Cooper Beach Complex, home to the UNF Beach Volleyball Team during her time as Head Coach as well attracting generous support who have given over a quarter of a million dollars directly or generating over a quarter of a million dollars in direct support to her program(s) or to facilities that she and her program(s) benefited from.  

A national search will commence immediately to find the next head coach of North Florida Volleyball.