Ole Miss and Kayla Banwarth agree to part ways, search begins for new volleyball head coach
Ole Miss announced last week Kayla Banwarth would be stepping away from her duties as head volleyball coach.
The move is now permanent.
Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter announced Thursday the school and Barnwarth mutally agreed to part ways, leaving the volleyball program in need of yet another new head coach.
Assistant coach Bre Henry will serve as acting head coach for the remainder of the 2022 season.
“With the accomplishments we experienced during her tenure, Coach Banwarth leaves this program well equipped for future success,” Carter said in a statement. “We wish her the best as she moves forward.”
In the two-plus seasons at the helm of the Ole Miss volleyball program, Banwarth recorded a 29-38 record. The Rebels were 7-10 prior to Banwarth stepping away last week.
Since Banwarth’s absence from the team the Rebels have gone 3-0, including a 3-1 win over Mississippi State on Wednesday in Starkville. Ole Miss is currently two games above .500 in SEC play.
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“I thank Keith Carter and Lynnette Johnson for the opportunity to coach at Ole Miss,” Banwarth said in a statement. “I am grateful to the student-athletes for allowing me to be a part of their volleyball careers. Coaching volleyball is my greatest passion. I will continue to pursue that passion when the right opportunity arises. I am excited to see what the next chapter has in store for me and my family.”
Banwarth’s best season came last season when she guided Ole Miss to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years and its first 20-win regular season since 2013. The 21-9 campaign marked the best turnaround in Division I Volleyball after the Rebels registered a 1-19 record in Banwarth’s first season in 2020-21.
Ole Miss (10-10, 6-4 SEC) will host Tennessee on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on SEC Network+
