Longtime Kentucky Volleyball Coach Craig Skinner Earns Contract Extension

"Coach Skinner represents the type of excellence we want Kentucky Athletics to stand for. He has built a championship program, developed outstanding student-athletes, attracted record crowds, and created an expectation to compete at the highest level year after year," Batt said. "We're bullish about were Kentucky Athletics is headed, and volleyball is a great example of why. Craig has built something special here, and we're excited about what's ahead for the program."

Since his arrival in December 2004, Skinner has cemented himself as one of the most successful coaches at Kentucky and across volleyball. Through nearly the end of October, Skinner has posted a 513-162 overall record and 325-72 conference record.

"Since Megan and I arrived in Lexington in 2005, Kentucky has become our home and embraced us with open arms," said Skinner. “We’ve won championships together, we’ve watched athletes become leaders as they graduate, and we’ve done it all with the support of Big Blue Nation by our side. We are thrilled to be a part of J’s long-term vision for Kentucky Athletics. We’re excited about our staff and continuing to build on the foundation that we’ve created alongside the momentum in the sport of volleyball. Thank you to President Capilouto, J Batt, Rachel Newman Baker and Katie Eiserman for their trust in me and continued support of Kentucky Volleyball, and let’s go finish 2026 strong!”

Skinner has guided the Wildcats to 21 straight NCAA tournaments, two Final Four appearances, nine straight SEC championships, and an NCAA National Championship in 2020. He is a four-time AVCA All-South Region Coach of the Year, an eight-time SEC Coach of the Year, and the AVCA National Coach of the Year for the 2020-2021 season.

In 2014, Skinner won his 211th game, a sweep over Georgia Southern, to become Kentucky volleyball's winningest coach. He was the fastest coach in school history to earn his 100th overall win in 2009 with a sweep over conference foe Auburn. A few years later, Skinner won his 100th conference match, a sweep over Ole Miss in 2012. And earlier this year, he earned his 500th win in a 3-0 match against South Florida.

During his tenure, Kentucky has produced 27 All-America first, second, or third team players, 71 All-SEC honors, six SEC Players of the Year, five SEC Freshmen of the Year, 11 SEC liberos of the year, one SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and one AVCA Player of the Year (Madison Lilley in 2020-21, the first Kentucky and SEC player to receive the honor).

Skinner began his coaching career in Muncie, Ind., at the high school and club level. In 1994, he was hired as an assistant coach by then-Wisconsin head coach John Cook and helped lead the Badgers to a 68-35 record, including a National Invitational Volleyball Championship in 1995, a Big Ten Championship in 1997, and four NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 1999, Skinner returned his alma mater at Ball State as an assistant coach for a season and a half, before rejoining Cook at Nebraska in 2000. Skinner was promoted to head assistant coach in 2003 and helped lead the Cornhuskers to an undefeated season and National Championship in 2000, four undefeated conference seasons, and an overall 154-11 season.

So far in 2026, Kentucky has posted a 15-5, 7-3 record with wins over No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 13 Penn State at Wrigley Field, No. 22 North Carolina, No. 3 Louisville, No. 23 Vanderbilt, and No. 14 Texas.