Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced that Tennessee Athletics and head softball coach Karen Weekly have agreed to a one-year contract extension. The extension keeps Weekly under contract through June 30, 2029.
 
Over the past two seasons, Weekly has guided the Lady Vols to back-to-back SEC regular season titles and one SEC Softball Tournament crown.
 
“Karen’s unwavering determination to be the best and build a championship program has been exciting to be a part of,” said White. “She exemplifies the competitive excellence we aim for in our athletics department. We are thrilled to secure her dynamic leadership for the long term and continue competing for titles on Rocky Top.”
 
The back-to-back SEC Coach of the Year, Weekly has led Tennessee to 95 wins – 38 in conference – over the last two years, with two trips to Super Regionals and a semifinal appearance at the 2023 Women’s College World Series.
 
“I am very appreciative of Danny White’s continued faith in me to lead the Lady Vol softball program,” Weekly said. “It is an honor and privilege to be a part of the best athletics department in college sports and we are just getting started.”
 
The success of the 2023 and 2024 seasons has recharged and reinvigorated the program and fanbase. Tennessee’s incoming freshman class is ranked No. 4 in the nation and is ready to make its mark this coming season.
 
For 2024, Tennessee sold out season tickets for softball as fans packed out Sherri Parker Lee Stadium every weekend. Over the past two seasons, 101,167 fans have passed through the gates at SPL to cheer the Lady Vols to a 46-8 home record.
 
Currently the longest-tenured head coach on Rocky Top, Weekly enters her 24th season at the helm of Tennessee softball in 2025. She boasts 1,308 career wins and holds a record of 1,085-340-2 (.761) while leading the Lady Vols.
 
Among coaches in head-to-head sports at the University of Tennessee, only Pat Summitt (1,098) has collected more wins than Weekly.