**Tennessee Softball Announces Hiring of Craig Snider**
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball head coach Karen Weekly has announced the addition of Craig Snider to the Lady Vols’ coaching staff.
Snider, recognized as one of the nation’s top offensive minds, joins Tennessee after two seasons as the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
“This position generated a lot of interest, and we could not have found a better fit,” Weekly said. “Craig is widely known as one of the best hitting coaches and offensive minds in the game of softball. His track record for developing versatile and dynamic offenses speaks for itself. He is a teacher who loves helping players reach their potential, and his players love working with him. Building strong relationships is key in both recruiting and player development, and Craig has proven to be exceptional in that regard.”
Hailing from Franklin, Kentucky, Snider took over the Texas Tech softball program in June 2022. He led the Red Raiders to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2018 and 2019.
In 2024, six TTU players were selected to All-Big 12 teams, tying a program record.
During his tenure at Texas Tech, Snider’s offensive expertise helped the team set records for doubles (181), doubles per game (1.76), home runs (134), home runs per game (1.30), RBIs (562), RBIs per game (5.46), and slugging percentage (.537) over two years. Additionally, 13 Red Raiders achieved 88 career highs, the most in the country for the 2024 season.
“I would like to thank Coach Weekly, sport administrator Tara Brooks, and Director of Athletics Danny White for this incredible opportunity,” Snider said. “The ability to check so many boxes for our family is rare in our profession. We are extremely excited to join this storied program and continue the excellence of Tennessee softball.
“I would also like to thank the Texas Tech family for their support over the past two seasons. My family and I have made lifelong friendships and memories in Lubbock that we will always cherish.”
Before his time in Lubbock, Snider coached at Oklahoma, Florida State, and Texas A&M, where he coached 20 All-Americans and made three Women’s College World Series appearances.
In 2018, he helped lead Florida State to a national championship by defeating Washington in two games to secure the ACC program’s first WCWS title.
During his eight seasons at FSU, he contributed to 11 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament championships, seven NCAA Super Regionals, and three WCWS appearances.
Snider’s career began at Stephen F. Austin as a hitting coach from 2007-10, helping the team to an NCAA Regional appearance in 2008 after winning the Southland Conference tournament.
He also served as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma in 2005-06 and held assistant coaching positions at Centenary (2004-05) and Lindsey Wilson College (2001-03).
Snider, a 2004 graduate of Centenary, is marrying Stephanie Sanders in June 2024. He has a daughter, Riley, and a son, Henry.
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