University of Tennessee Co-Head Coach
A 22-year collegiate softball head coaching veteran boasting 1,073 career wins, Karen Weekly and her husband Ralph just completed their 19th season at the helm of the Tennessee softball program. Having guided UT to a staggering 850 victories and five top three national finishes (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013) and seven appearances (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) in the Women's College World Series since arriving to resuscitate the program prior to the 2002 season, Karen and Ralph have made it evident that tireless recruiting and solid coaching by the experienced Weeklys and their staff can produce huge dividends to the UT softball program. Though the 2020 season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lady Vols posted another winning season with a 14-9 overall record. Tennessee’s 25th year of softball, although brief, was highlighted by one of the nation’s most clutch defenses as the Lady Vols finished second in the country after turning 17 double plays. The year also saw a surge of freshman talent, which was ranked the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class by Softball America headed into the year, have an immediate impact. Most notably, freshman Callie Turner became the team’s ace as sophomore Ashley Rogers was sidelined temporarily. The Lady Vols offense was boosted by the leadership of Chelsea Seggern, the return of Ally Shipman and the consistency of junior Amanda Ayala.
