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Legendary Gators head coach Mary Wise steps down after 34 seasons

79417-removebg-preview (1)by: Corey Bender02/07/25Corey_Bender
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After 34 seasons at the University of Florida, legendary volleyball head coach Mary Wise is calling it a career. The announcement was made on Thursday evening.

During her time with the Florida Gators, Wise racked up 987 wins and guided the SEC program to the NCAA Tournament in every season. That was good enough for the third-longest streak in Division I history. Wise’s teams also won 25 Southeastern Conference Championships and had a winning season in every season she was at the helm.

“Gator Nation, it has been an honor to serve as your Head Volleyball Coach the past 34 seasons. I look back on my career with such gratitude for the assistant coaches, staff members, administrators, and especially the incredible women who said yes to being a Gator,” Wise said on Thursday.

“This is such a special place and there was never going to be an easy time to walk away, but after 43 years in the arena, the time to step away is now. College volleyball has risen to a whole new level with participation, attendance and TV exposure. I cannot wait to see what’s next for the sport at a view from my new seat.

“To the Gator fans that helped elevate our program with their support, the Gainesville community that helped Mark and me raise our sons, and to the entire Gator Nation that allowed me to represent the orange and blue, thank you.”

Gators AD Scott Stricklin weighs on Mary Wise’s career

Prior to her time in Gainesville, Wise played for Purdue and became the youngest Division I head coach ever during the spring of 1981 when landing at Iowa State. She led the Cyclones’ program from 1981-84 and then joined Kentucky’s staff in 1986-90 before starting a legendary career with the Gators on March 25, 1991.

All in all, Wise walks away from her head-coaching career with a record of 1068-213, with 987 of those victories coming as head coach of the Gators.

“Mary Wise is an icon at the University of Florida, in college athletics and in the volleyball community. Beginning with her being the youngest Division I coach ever hired at her first coaching stop, Mary’s 43-year journey in the profession is an impressive parade of remarkable successes and accomplishments,” athletic director Scott Stricklin said.

“As impressive as those accomplishments are, it is equally impressive the countless lives she touched and impacted along the way. Gator athletes, staff and fans are forever grateful to Mary for her tireless efforts, and for making Florida Volleyball one of the premier programs in the nation.”

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