Kevin Hambly was named the sixth head coach in the history of the program on Jan. 30, 2017. He enters his eighth season at Stanford and his 16th overall as a head coach in 2024. Hambly boasts a career record of 349-123 and a pair of national titles.
In seven seasons on The Farm, Hambly is 171-37 and is 110-20 in conference play. He has won five conference titles, advanced to three consecutive national semifinals (2017-19) and produced 13 AVCA All-Americans, who have collected 25 total awards. Additionally, Hambly mentored two-time AVCA National Player of the Year Kathryn Plummer, as well as, eight College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans.
In just his second season at Stanford, the Pac-12 and AVCA Pacific North Region Coach of the Year won his first NCAA title in 2018. The championship gave the Cardinal its eighth in school history. Stanford's near perfect 2018 campaign consisted of a 34-1 overall record and Hambly's second straight Pac-12 title. The Cardinal became the first Pac-12 school in 15 years to go undefeated in conference play (20-0). Stanford closed out the 2018 season on a 32-match winning streak - a school record.
Hambly led the Cardinal to a second straight NCAA title and its third in four years in 2019, giving the program nine overall - more than any other program in the nation. Stanford won its third consecutive Pac-12 title and finished the season 30-4 overall.
Named AVCA Pacific North Region and Pac-12 Coach of the Year for a second time in 2022, Hambly led the Cardinal to its 21st Pac-12 title and 24th conference crown overall in 2023. Additionally, the Cardinal advanced to its 17th regional final since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1998.
Hambly came to The Farm after spending eight seasons as the head coach at Illinois, where he led the Illini to six NCAA regional appearances and the 2011 national title match. Hambly compiled a 178-86 overall record while in Champaign.
Hambly guided the Illini to the national semifinals in 2011 for the first time in 23 years before advancing to the NCAA title match for the first time in program history. Illinois also garnered its first No. 1 ranking in school history after opening the campaign 20-0. Following the season, Hambly was named the Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year. He coached 12 AVCA All-Americans to 19 honors during his time with the Illinois program.
Coaching in the Big Ten Conference, Hambly racked up a 102-58 record in league matches. Illinois totaled five top-four finishes in conference play under Hambly, including three runner-up efforts from 2009-11.
The Illini also produced in the classroom under Hambly, combining for 75 Academic All-Big Ten honors in eight seasons. Additionally, two of the program's four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans played for the Illini during his tenure, while another garnered the Senior CLASS Award's top honor.
Following the 2011 run to the national title match, Hambly was elected AVCA president, a post he held from January 2013 through December 2015.
Prior to being named the head coach at Illinois, Hambly spent three seasons as an assistant for the Illini and two as a volunteer assistant from 2004-08. Before arriving in Champaign, he was an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team from 2001-04 and an assistant coach at UNLV from 1996-01.
A native of Simi Valley, California, Hambly played collegiately at BYU from 1992-95. While playing for the Cougars, he was named to the Volleyball Monthly All-Freshman Team in 1992, selected as a third-team All-American in 1994 and earned AVCA First Team All-America honors in 1995 after leading the nation in blocks. He went on to play professionally in France from 1995-96.
Hambly earned a bachelor's of science degree in recreation, sport and tourism with an emphasis in sports management from Illinois in 2006. He and his wife, Mary, have two children, Joseph and Maura.
In seven seasons on The Farm, Hambly is 171-37 and is 110-20 in conference play. He has won five conference titles, advanced to three consecutive national semifinals (2017-19) and produced 13 AVCA All-Americans, who have collected 25 total awards. Additionally, Hambly mentored two-time AVCA National Player of the Year Kathryn Plummer, as well as, eight College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans.
In just his second season at Stanford, the Pac-12 and AVCA Pacific North Region Coach of the Year won his first NCAA title in 2018. The championship gave the Cardinal its eighth in school history. Stanford's near perfect 2018 campaign consisted of a 34-1 overall record and Hambly's second straight Pac-12 title. The Cardinal became the first Pac-12 school in 15 years to go undefeated in conference play (20-0). Stanford closed out the 2018 season on a 32-match winning streak - a school record.
Hambly led the Cardinal to a second straight NCAA title and its third in four years in 2019, giving the program nine overall - more than any other program in the nation. Stanford won its third consecutive Pac-12 title and finished the season 30-4 overall.
Named AVCA Pacific North Region and Pac-12 Coach of the Year for a second time in 2022, Hambly led the Cardinal to its 21st Pac-12 title and 24th conference crown overall in 2023. Additionally, the Cardinal advanced to its 17th regional final since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1998.
Hambly came to The Farm after spending eight seasons as the head coach at Illinois, where he led the Illini to six NCAA regional appearances and the 2011 national title match. Hambly compiled a 178-86 overall record while in Champaign.
Hambly guided the Illini to the national semifinals in 2011 for the first time in 23 years before advancing to the NCAA title match for the first time in program history. Illinois also garnered its first No. 1 ranking in school history after opening the campaign 20-0. Following the season, Hambly was named the Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year. He coached 12 AVCA All-Americans to 19 honors during his time with the Illinois program.
Coaching in the Big Ten Conference, Hambly racked up a 102-58 record in league matches. Illinois totaled five top-four finishes in conference play under Hambly, including three runner-up efforts from 2009-11.
The Illini also produced in the classroom under Hambly, combining for 75 Academic All-Big Ten honors in eight seasons. Additionally, two of the program's four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans played for the Illini during his tenure, while another garnered the Senior CLASS Award's top honor.
Following the 2011 run to the national title match, Hambly was elected AVCA president, a post he held from January 2013 through December 2015.
Prior to being named the head coach at Illinois, Hambly spent three seasons as an assistant for the Illini and two as a volunteer assistant from 2004-08. Before arriving in Champaign, he was an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team from 2001-04 and an assistant coach at UNLV from 1996-01.
A native of Simi Valley, California, Hambly played collegiately at BYU from 1992-95. While playing for the Cougars, he was named to the Volleyball Monthly All-Freshman Team in 1992, selected as a third-team All-American in 1994 and earned AVCA First Team All-America honors in 1995 after leading the nation in blocks. He went on to play professionally in France from 1995-96.
Hambly earned a bachelor's of science degree in recreation, sport and tourism with an emphasis in sports management from Illinois in 2006. He and his wife, Mary, have two children, Joseph and Maura.
Season-by-Season Results
| Year | School | Overall Record | Conference Record (Finish) | Postseason Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Illinois | 26-6 | 16-4 (2nd) | 2-1 (NCAA Regional Semifinal) |
| 2010 | Illinois | 24-9 | 14-6 (2nd) | 2-1 (NCAA Regional Semifinal) |
| 2011 | Illinois | 32-5 | 16-4 (2nd) | 5-1 (NCAA Runner-Up) |
| 2012 | Illinois | 14-16 | 8-12 (8th) | - |
| 2013 | Illinois | 18-15 | 12-8 (4th) | 2-1 (NCAA Regional Semifinal) |
| 2014 | Illinois | 26-8 | 16-4 (3rd) | 2-1 (NCAA Regional Semifinal) |
| 2015 | Illinois | 21-13 | 10-10 (t7th) | 2-1 (NCAA Regional Semifinal) |
| 2016 | Illinois | 17-14 | 10-10 (t7th) | - |
| 2017 | Stanford | 30-4 | 19-1 (1st) | 4-1 (NCAA Semifinals) |
| 2018 | Stanford | 34-1 | 20-0 (1st) | 6-0 (NCAA Champion) |
| 2019 | Stanford | 30-4 | 18-2 (1st) | 6-0 (NCAA Champion) |
| 2020 | Stanford | 2-8 | 2-8 (11th) | - |
| 2021 | Stanford | 19-11 | 13-7 (t4th) | 1-1 (NCAA Second Round) |
| 2022 | Stanford | 27-5 | 19-1 (1st) | 3-1 (NCAA Regional Final) |
| 2023 | Stanford | 29-4 | 19-1 (1st) | 3-1 (NCAA Regional Final) |
| Totals | 15 seasons | 349-123 (.739) | 212-78 (.731) | 38-10 (.792) |