Auburn names Tennessee assistants Chris, Kate Malveaux as co-head softball coaches

The Auburn softball coaching search is over, with athletic director John Cohen naming Chris and Kate Malveaux as co-head coaches. Both will be moving to the Plains after spending time as assistants at Tennessee, winning back-to-back SEC regular season titles.

“In meeting with Chris and Kate, it was obvious that their synergy was an indomitable force,” Cohen said in a statement. “Their contributions to Tennessee’s success over the past three seasons are undeniable. We’re so excited to welcome Chris, Kate and their family to Auburn.”

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Both Chris and Kate were hired by Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season but the latter was a part-time assistant coach at the time. She was elevated in the summer of 2023 and spent the 2024 season working full-time with the Volunteers.

The official Tennessee roster describes Chris Malveaux as “one of the top offensive minds in collegiate softball.” Malveaux’s coaching led to the Vols having the sixth-highest batting average in 2024 while ranking No. 4 in runs scored and No. 3 in home runs.

“We are incredibly humbled and excited to be a part of the Auburn Family! Kate and I are overly thankful to Karen Weekly and the entire Tennessee family for their sacrifices, opportunities, and guidance these past three years,” Chris Malveaux said.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead this storied Auburn program into its next stage and are forever grateful for the trust of John Cohen and his incredible staff for believing in us. We can’t wait to get to work! WAR EAGLE!!”

Kate Malveaux followed with a statement of her own, taking time to thank Cohen for the opportunity. But she also took time to reflect on her time in Knoxville while mentioning Tennessee’s head coach, Karen Weekly.

“Chris and I are both honored and humbled to lead this new era of Auburn Softball. Thank you to John Cohen and all of Auburn Athletics for their faith in us to take on this role and support the program in such an impactful way,” Kate Malveaux said.

“Also, thank you to Karen Weekly, the Lady Vol Softball staff, and student-athletes for the opportunity and support of not only us, but also our family. Auburn has proved that it can compete on the national stage, and we are excited to build, develop, and grow this program into a national powerhouse.”