Wright Steps Down As Head Beach Volleyball Coach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After four seasons at the helm of North Florida Beach Volleyball, Doug Wright has stepped down from the program.

"It has been an honor and privilege to lead this program and represent the University of North Florida," Wright said. "The championship culture we built and the milestones we reached are a direct result of our student-athletes' hard work and our staff's dedication. This was an extremely difficult decision, but it is the right one as I prioritize what is best for my family. While the timing is not ideal, I believe there is never a wrong time to do what is right. I am deeply grateful to Nick Morrow for the opportunity to lead this program and for all the moments I was able to experience along the way. I care deeply about the coaches and players in this program, and I am confident they will continue elevating it to new heights."

"Doug Wright has been an incredible coach for the North Florida Beach Volleyball program, and his impact on our student-athletes and the entire Osprey community cannot be overstated," Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow added. "While we are saddened by his decision to step down, we respect his choice and are deeply grateful for the difference he has made in our program. Doug leaves behind a new standard of excellence that will continue to guide us. We wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter."

Wright compiled a 100-48 record at North Florida, the fastest to reach the 100-win milestone in program history.

Wright led North Florida to a program-record 26 wins in 2025 that culminated in the program's second-ever appearance in the NCAA Championship, which have both occurred in the last two seasons under Wright, after it added its sixth and second-straight Atlantic Sun Conference Championship title. North Florida earned a program-best No. 12 seed after it secured the No. 16 seed in 2024. ?

For three-straight seasons under Wright, North Florida secured the most combined selections between the ASUN Conference First and Second Team in 2025. With the six selections in 2025, North Florida collected 26 honorees under Wright and the most in the conference in his tenure. North Florida was a top-three seed at the ASUN Championship each season under Wright. He coached four Ospreys to All-Freshman team honors, including 2023 ASUN Freshman of the Year Madison Espy.

In addition to a program-record win total, North Florida earned its highest ranking in program history at No. 14 in the final AVCA Collegiate Beach Coaches Poll in 2025. The Ospreys were ranked in each installment of the poll in 2025 for the first time in program history.

Wright recorded the program's first-ever win at the NCAA Championship against No. 17 seed Chattanooga on May 3, 2024. In 2024, North Florida became the first team in ASUN Conference history to sweep the entirety of the ASUN Championship without giving up a single match point.

Wright coached two pairs in Mariana Feliciano Sanchez and Madison Espy in 2025 and Iris Fletcher and Katie Camp in 2024 to ASUN Pair of the Tournament. He developed six pairs to ASUN All-Tournament Team honors. North Florida had two ASUN Scholar Athlete of the Year honorees under Wright.

Wright guided Presley Murray and Mackenzie Murphy to AVCA Top Flight Pair 1 honors in 2025. He coached four AVCA Top Flight pairs at the helm of North Florida.

Wright was named 2023 ASUN Coach of the Year and won at least 24 matches each of his four seasons.

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Players Mentioned

Katie Camp

Madison Espy

Mariana Feliciano Sanchez

Iris Fletcher

Mackenzie Murphy

Presley Murray

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