Tennessee softball head coach Karen Weekly accepted a contract extension, Tennessee athletic director Danny White announced on Wednesday. 

The extension keeps Weekly under contract through June 30, 2029 — a one year extension. 

“Karen’s unwavering determination to be the best and build a championship program has been exciting to be a part of,” White said in a press release. “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 Lady Vols are coming off 44-12 season that ended in the NCAA Super Regionals with a loss to Alabama. The season was highlighted by a 19-5 conference record that earned Tennessee the SEC Regular Season title. 

Weekly’s 2023 season at the helm ended with both the SEC Regular Season and SEC Tournament Championships. That 2023 season ended in Oklahoma City for the Lady Vols in the 2023 Women’s College World Series Semifinals. 

Earning back-to-back SEC Coach of the Year honors, Weekly posted 95 wins over the past two seasons. 

“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.”

Weekly cemented among Tennessee athletics history 

Currently, Weekly is the longest-tenured coach at Tennessee. Entering her 24th season at the helm, she holds a 1,085-340-2 (.761) record while leading the Lady Vols. Only Pat Summitt has earned more wins in head-to-head sports at the University of Tennessee. Weekly has 1,308 career wins. 

The Lady Vol fanbase has responded to the recent successes of the softball program. Season tickets were sold out for 2024 and 101,167 fans walked into Sherri Parker Lee stadium over the previous two seasons. 

Tennessee’s incoming staff is currently No. 4 in the nation.