The winningest coach in Division I program history, North Florida volleyball head coach Kristen Wright enters her eighth season at the helm in 2025.
Wright received a two-year contract extension in March through the 2026 season.
Wright has totaled 103-109 record in her seven seasons on the indoor side at North Florida. She 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.
North Florida extended its program-record streak of winning seasons in conference play to five in 2024 and have notched a conference-tournament appearance in each season under Wright. North Florida has protected its home court, with a winning home record in each of the last six seasons under Wright.
Under Wright’s tutelage, North Florida has developed 10 All-Conference selections. Within its 10 All-Conference selections, Wright has coached two First Team, three Second Team and two Third Team All-ASUN honorees.
Wright has also guided six ASUN All-Freshman selections and Ospreys have excelled in postseason play with three ASUN All-Tournament Team nods.
Wright was instrumental in the recruitment and development of libero Rocio Moro, who 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.
Other Ospreys who thrived under Wright’s leadership include outside hitters Mahalia White, who was named the 2023 Honda Inspirational Woman of the Year, and Gabby O'Connell, the 2021 ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
2021 marked the winningest season in Division I program history with a 25-8, 12-4 ASUN record. Wright guided the program to a No. 75 RPI at the end of the season, the highest ranking in Division I program history, and an appearance in the 2021 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
North Florida has become accustomed to elite competition since Wright’s arrival. Wright has coached against 64 top-100 RPI opponents – 22 in the top-50 – and earned five wins against such opponents.
Under Wright, North Florida earned its first win against a Power Five opponent in Division I program history when it defeated Virginia Tech on Sept. 3, 2021.
Wright led the North Florida beach volleyball program from 2017-21, 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 Tournament Championship title.
Wright was inducted into the San Diego Breitbard Coaching Hall of Fame in 2016 and most recently at her alma mater, Stockdale High School. Wright was named to the 2012 AVCA Thirty Under 30 list. Wright was a high school head coach for nine years and won nine straight California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego Section Championships, six Southern California State Regional Championship, and one State Championship. Wright tied the most consecutive trips to the state title match in CIF history.
Wright was a four-year starter at the University of San Diego from 2001-04. She earned AVCA All-American and All-Region honors while also garnering three WCC All-Conference accolades throughout her career. Wright was a four-year NCAA tournament participant and team captain.
Wright earned her bachelor’s degree in history from San Diego in 2006 and a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific in 2018.
Wright is married to Doug Wright, the current head beach volleyball coach at North Florida, and has two children, Bradyn and Kylee.
