Karen Weekly receives contract extension amid Lady Vols softball success
Karen Weekly has received a contract extension during one of the best Lady Vols softball seasons in the past 20 years, Tennessee athletics director Danny White announced Thursday.
Weekly's contract runs through June 30, 2028. Financial details of the contract were not immediately available. The contract was agreed to in principle.
"I've been impressed from day one with Karen with her ultra-competitive mindset to be the best and how professional she goes about her business in leading our softball program," White said in a school release. "She is a great representative of our athletics department and the competitive excellence we strive to have. We are excited to sign her to a long-term extension to keep her on Rocky Top."
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Weekly led the Lady Vols to their first regular-season SEC title since 2007. UT also won the SEC Tournament, beating South Carolina. The Lady Vols (44-8) earned the No. 4 national seed and host a regional, opening against Northern Kentucky (23-30) on Friday (5:30 p.m., ESPN+) at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Weekly was named the SEC coach of the year, her third award. She won the award as a co-head coach in 2004 and 2007.
Weekly signed a contract extension in July 2021 that coincided with her husband, Ralph Weekly, retiring from his post as co-head coach. That extension set Weekly's base pay at $340,000 annually through June 30, 2025.
"It's a privilege to be the softball coach at Tennessee and to work for Danny White," Weekly said in a school release. "I appreciate his faith and trust in me to lead Lady Vol softball into the future. The support we receive from the athletics administration is phenomenal. Chancellor Donde Plowman is an incredible leader for our campus and I'm grateful for her mentorship. I am blessed to coach a terrific group of young women and work alongside amazing assistants and staff who share our vision for success."
Weekly has a record of 1,034-326-2 during her 22 years on Rocky Top.
Tennessee has won five SEC titles between the regular season and conference tournament. Its SEC Tournament title was the first since 2011.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Karen Weekly receives contract extension amid Lady Vols softball success
