Girl Power in the Big Ten!

There are seven female head coaches in the Big Ten in 2025. SEVEN. Five of those women are actually coaching at their alma mater.  There was a time when there were zero female head coaches… and that wasn't that long ago. It's so impressive to see these strong women leading their programs in arguably the best volleyball conference in the nation. As one of those women, Kristen Kelsay, said at Big Ten media days “if you can see her, you can be her”. 

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We finally had a female head coach win the national championship last season when Katie Schumacher-Cawley took Penn State all the way (all while battling breast cancer). It has taken far too long for a female coach to win the national championship, but with the way we are trending I expect there to be many many more.

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It’s really an inspiration to play for a woman who was once in your shoes. It is a completely different feeling to have the person leading you have actually been in your shoes at one point. The perspective a coach can give when they have played at the same level, at the same school, and have the same pride is hard to describe. I set for a female head coach who was also a setter at Ohio State at one point. Being able to communicate with her about what is going through my head and knowing she actually understands my feelings all too well creates a recipe for success. 

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These females who are leading the charge at some of the most elite programs in the nation are the new standard. The only reason we're talking about them is because the standard for so long has been that it's rare to see a female head coach. Well I think the Big Ten is on their way to changing that standard. Females belong at these tables in high places. The girls that they are leading know firsthand what a strong woman looks like and I can't wait to see some of them take over these programs some day!