Tennessee fired soccer coach Joe Kirt after five seasons leading the Lady Vols, the university announced Monday, Nov. 2. The change came after Tennessee finished 7-5-4 overall and 2-5-3 in Southeastern Conference play.
The Lady Vols were eliminated from contention for the SEC Tournament before the regular season concluded Sunday. Their two conference victories matched the fewest in program history, and Tennessee is on course to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, excluding the 48-team tournament held during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.
Interim coach named
Associate head coach Jonathan Morgan will take over on an interim basis while Tennessee conducts a search for Kirt's replacement. Morgan joined Kirt's staff as the program moves from the regular season into its coaching transition.
“Joe is a tremendous person whose dedication and passion have left a lasting impact on Tennessee soccer, both during his years as an assistant and as our head coach,” athletics director Danny White said.
White said the decision was made after consideration and was separate from Kirt's character and commitment to the athletes. He credited Kirt's leadership and service to the program and said Tennessee appreciated his influence on the team.
Kirt had been part of Tennessee soccer for nearly two decades. He worked as an assistant from 2007 through 2021 under coaches Ange Kelly and Brian Pensky before becoming head coach in April 2022, when Pensky left for Florida State. Kirt was one of the longest-tenured coaches at the university.
Last year, Tennessee extended Kirt's contract through the 2030 season. His original agreement was set to expire Dec. 31, 2026. The extension raised his annual salary from $175,000 to $200,000.
“Thankful to Danny for the opportunity to lead this program; it’s been an incredible privilege to share in our program's tremendous success over the last 20 years,” Kirt said.
- Record: Tennessee finished 7-5-4 in 2026.
- SEC record: The Lady Vols went 2-5-3 in conference play.
- Interim coach: Associate head coach Jonathan Morgan will lead the team during the search.
