MOORHEAD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead has found its next head volleyball coach, and they didn't have to look too far as
Kari Thompson has been elevated to the post.
Thompson, who has spent the previous two seasons as MSUM's assistant coach, becomes the program's seventh head coach. She inherits the job from Bob Jones, who announced his retirement from coaching earlier this month.
"I would like to thank Chad Markuson and President Anne Blackhurst for entrusting me with the future of our volleyball program," Thompson said. "MSUM has strong academic opportunities and is a part of a great community that loves volleyball. We compete in a top volleyball conference and we get to work with other committed and passionate people every day, how lucky am I?"
Thompson will take over a Dragon team that will welcome back 10 returners from 2022's team along with seven incoming freshmen and a junior college transfer.
"I have been so impressed with the hard work our student-athletes have put in and their belief in the process, and their belief in me," she said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching this incredible group and look forward to adding our 2023 incoming class this fall."
Thompson brings a wealth of experience to the position both as an assistant and head coach. Before becoming an assistant coach in Moorhead, Thompson was the head coach at NCAA-Division I Southern Illinois. Prior to that, Thompson was the head coach at North Dakota State from 2010 to 2017.
"Kari registers high in our Dragon core values. Her grit will serve us well and we have been fortunate to have Kari on our staff the past couple of seasons," said MSUM athletic director Chad Markuson. "She has played a significant role in the upward trajectory of our program. I am excited to have her continue to grow our volleyball program. I am looking forward to her leadership both on the volleyball court, but also within the athletic department."
During her stint with the Bison, Thompson accrued 102 career wins. Thompson led the Bison to two Summit League Tournament titles (2010 and 2011) in her tenure. As the interim coach in 2010 (taking over midseason), Thompson guided NDSU to a 20-11 record and helped bring the Bison to the NCAA Tournament.
The following year, her first without the interim tag, NDSU won the Summit League again with a 26-9 overall record (including a 16-2 conference mark) as Thompson was named Summit League Coach of the Year. The Bison swept through that season's Summit League Tournament on their way to another NCAA Tournament berth.
"Kari has led championship teams in the past and I am looking forward to her leading the Dragons in the toughest volleyball conference in the nation," Markuson added. "She is a great teacher of the game and that will serve our program well now and in the future."
Prior to her head coaching term, Thompson was the top assistant for NDSU from 2006 to 2010. In total, Thompson coached 12 All-Summit League performers including Bison greats Jen and Kelly Lopez. Jen Lopez, who is the current head coach at NDSU, was the Summit League Player of the Year in 2011 under Thompson's direction while Kelly Lopez was the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
Thompson was a recipient of the AVCA's "Thirty Under 30" award in 2010, which honors the top young coaches in the country. Before coming on staff at NDSU, Thompson was a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama. In her two seasons with the Crimson Tide, the SEC stalwart racked up a 44-20 overall record.
In her playing career, Thompson played one season at Concordia-St. Paul before transferring to Division I Wisconsin-Green Bay. A native of Amherst, Wisconsin, Thompson lettered for three consecutive seasons for the Phoenix.
