UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania. – Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Russ Rose announced his retirement today (Dec. 23) after 43 years at the helm of the Nittany Lions. Rose retires as the most successful coach in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball history with 1,330 victories in his illustrious career.

Rose will retain an advisory role within the sports department. Katie Schumacher-Cawley will serve as interim head coach as Penn State opens nationwide search for their next head coach.

“Although I have decided to retire, I have had the pleasure of being the head coach of the Penn State women’s volleyball program for the past 43 seasons,” said Rose. “My stay here has provided me and my family with many memories and relationships that we will carry with us. I want to thank the many players, managers and support staff for their dedication, in addition to all of the assistants who have helped shape the culture and success of the program.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to the Penn State administration over the years, from the president’s office to the vice president of intercollegiate sports and to several athletic directors and senior administrators who have been responsible for our program and empowered our many players over the past 43 years, the opportunity to reach for the stars, both on the field and in the classroom, ”continued Rose. “Also, I can’t say enough about the support from the community and the Booster Club, which have been such a blessing. I only wish the best for the future of the program.

Rose guided the Nittany Lions to seven NCAA titles, including four back-to-back championships, and 17 Big Ten crowns. He led the 41 appearances in the Penn State NCAA Tournament, making the Nittany Lions the only team in NCAA history to make all 41 tournaments. Under his tutelage, Rose’s student-athletes have won 112 AVCA All-America honors, four AVCA National Players of the Year, 14 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, 221 All-Big Ten Academic Selections and 19 CoSIDA Academic Laureates. All-America.

“It’s hard to properly capture our appreciation for Russ Rose and his service to our students, Penn State and our women’s volleyball program. Our sincere congratulations to Russ Rose on a phenomenal career at Penn State and decades of tremendous impact on students, staff and the community, ”said Intercollegiate Athletics Vice President Sandy Barbour. “He has been a mainstay of our community for over four decades and will long be remembered for raising the profile of women’s volleyball not only at Penn State but nationally. His legacy will live on through the hundreds of student-athletes who share their stories of the positive influence he had on their lives, long after graduation. The most successful coach in NCAA history, Russ was the architect of one of the most successful dynasties in college sport, leading his team to seven NCAA Championships, including four back-to-back NCAA Championships and 109 consecutive victories from 2007 to 2010.

“Russ’s student-athletes have always been the epitome of the term, doing well in the classroom, on the field and in the community,” continued Barbour. “He really prepared his student-athletes for a life of impact during his time at the Blue & White. We also want to pay tribute to Russ’s wife, Lori, and the entire Rose family, who played a huge role in the success of Penn State women’s volleyball during Russ’s career. We know we’ll continue to see Russ and the Rose Family in Rec Hall for years to come. There will be a time in the next year when we properly celebrate Russ’s many accomplishments, but for now, we want to congratulate and thank you! “

Rose is one of five NCAA Division I coaches to have won 1,000. Among her many accomplishments, Rose’s most notable achievement led her teams to 109 straight game wins, 111 straight set wins and four straight national championships from 2007 to 2010. The 109 straight wins represent the second longest winning streak. consecutive years of a women’s team in the history of Division I and the fourth in the general classification.