Mary Wise, the fourth-winningest coach in NCAA Division I women's volleyball history, announced her retirement after a remarkable 34-year career at the University of Florida. Wise led the Gators to consistent success, including eight Final Four appearances, two runner-up finishes, and a record 25 Southeastern Conference championships.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Mary Wise , the Florida women's volleyball coach and holder of the fourth-most wins in NCAA Division I history, announced her retirement Thursday. The 65-year-old coach formally stepped down after a team meeting, concluding a 34-year tenure in Gainesville during which she guided the Gators to the NCAA tournament every season.
Florida reached the Final Four eight times under Wise's leadership, including two runner-up finishes and a record-breaking 25 Southeastern Conference championships. In a statement, Wise expressed her decision to retire after 43 years in the sport, saying, 'But after 43 years in the arena, the time to step away is now. ... I cannot wait to see what's next for the sport at a view from my new seat.' Wise's 1,068 victories rank fourth in NCAA Division I history. She boasts a remarkable 987-150 (.868) record at Florida and an overall 1,068-213 (.834) mark. Her coaching journey began at Iowa State (1981-84), where at 21 years old, she became the youngest head coach in Division I history at the time. She later joined Kentucky as an assistant before taking the helm at Florida in 1991. Since then, she has transformed the Gators into one of the most consistently successful programs in the nation.Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin praised Wise, stating, 'Mary Wise is an icon at the University of Florida, in college athletics and in the volleyball community. ... Mary's 43-year journey in the profession is an impressive parade of remarkable successes and accomplishments.' This retirement marks the fourth championship-winning coach at Florida to step down in the past four years, following women's soccer coach Becky Burleigh (2021), men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton (2023) and women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist (2024).
Mary Wise Florida Gators Women's Volleyball Retirement NCAA
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