Karen Weakley has hired former Texas Tech head coach Craig Snyder to fill one of two vacancies on the Tennessee softball team following the departures of Chris and Kate Malveaux.
The Malveauxes were hired as co-head coaches at Auburn University this week, leaving two positions open on Weakley’s staff, and Snyder was brought in as a key addition to lead the offense after the Lady Vols fell short of their second consecutive Women’s College World Championship this season.
“This position generated a lot of interest and we couldn’t find anyone more qualified,” Weakley said in the school’s release. “Craig is widely recognized as the best hitting coach and offensive talent in softball, and his track record of developing a versatile, dynamic offense speaks for itself. He’s a teacher who loves to help players reach their potential, and players love working with him.”
“Building strong relationships is important in both recruiting and developing players, and Craig has been exceptional in that regard.”
Snyder went 60-43 in two seasons with the Red Raiders, including 13-29 in the Big 12. He spent the previous three years as the hitting coach at Texas A&M before spending the next eight years at Florida State. As a member of Florida State’s staff, Snyder led the Seminoles to the 2018 national championship.
During his time at FSU, the Seminoles won 11 ACC regular season and tournament championships, appeared in seven NCAA Super Regionals and appeared in the WCWS three times.
Coach Snyder led Texas Tech to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2018-2019 and had six players named to the All-Big 12 team this season. The Red Raiders recorded the most home runs (134), RBIs (562), doubles (181) and best slugging percentage (.537) in franchise history over the two years under Coach Snyder’s tenure.
“I would like to thank Coach Weekley, athletic administrator Tara Brooks and athletics director Danny White for this amazing opportunity,” Snyder said in the school’s release. “It’s rare in our profession to be able to tick so many boxes for a family, and I’m excited to join this storied program and continue the excellence of softball in Tennessee. I also want to thank my Texas Tech family for their support over the past two seasons. My family and I have made lifelong friendships and memories in Lubbock that I will always cherish.”
Snyders’ resume also includes stints at Stephen F. Austin University, one season as a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma, Centenary College and Lindsey Wilson College.
