Hampton-Keith Named NC State Volleyball Head Coach
12/23/2015 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Former Arizona State associate head coach to lead Wolfpack
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow solidified the future of the Wolfpack volleyball program on Wednesday, announcing Linda Hampton-Keith as the new head coach.
"We believe Coach Hampton-Keith is the right architect to build our volleyball program for sustainable success," said Yow. "Her collegiate coaching experience and work with the USA Volleyball Youth Development Program has prepared her well to lead our program. We welcome Linda, her husband Maark and their daughter Yaeli to the Wolfpack Family."
Hampton-Keith brings a wealth of experience to NC State, including 14 years as an assistant coach at the Division I level, 12 years with the USA Volleyball Development Program and three as a head coach of a varsity program on the high school level.
"I would like to thank Chancellor Randy Woodson and Director of Athletics Debbie Yow for this wonderful opportunity to become the next head coach of NC State Volleyball," said Hampton-Keith. "It became evident throughout this process that there is a commitment to excellence and a culture of teamwork throughout NC State and the athletic department and I am humbled and honored to lead the volleyball program during this exciting time.
"From the moment I stepped on campus it became clear that under Dr. Yow's leadership NC State athletics has moved in a direction that supports success at the highest levels. I am looking forward to partnering with the administration, our staff and our team to move our volleyball program in a direction befitting of the NC State vision."
She joins the Pack following a five-year stint at Arizona State, serving as associate head coach in her final three seasons. She helped guide the Sun Devils to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of the past four seasons, and reached as high as No. 5 in the national rankings in 2015 after a 15-0 start.
Known as a relentless recruiter, she has enhanced the Sun Devils' recruiting efforts resulting in nationally-ranked classes in four of her five years in Tempe. ASU's 2013 recruiting class was tabbed No. 13 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, one of the highest in program history.
During her time with the Sun Devils, the program produced two All-Americans, two all-region performers, five All-Pac 12 selections and four Pac 12 All-Freshman Team members.
Hampton-Keith has also worked closely with the nation's top youth players through the USA Volleyball Youth Development Programs. She coached at USA High Performance camps from 2001-05, served as head coach for the USA Volleyball North Texas Region Team in 2007, assisted the Youth National A2 Team in 2009, and most recently assisted the USA Collegiate National Team in 2013 and 2014.
Prior to joining Arizona State, Hampton-Keith spent six seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas Christian University. While in Fort Worth, she helped the Horned Frogs post four consecutive winning seasons and earn their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009, which included a 3-0 victory against Rice in the first round.
In her last three seasons at TCU, the Horned Frogs charted 20 or more wins in each campaign, highlighted by a program-best 27 victories in 2009. Hampton-Keith helped three players from the '09 squad earn All-America honors.
Under her tutelage, Christy Hudson was a three-time all-conference selection and All-American, while Megan Munce claimed Mountain West Conference (MWC) Setter of the Year honors. In total, four players secured All-America honors, four all-region selections and seven Mountain West All-Conference honors during her tenure with the Horned Frogs.
Hampton-Keith was an assistant coach at North Texas in 2005, after spending the previous two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at her alma mater Florida International.
Before assuming her position with the Panthers, she was the head coach at P.K. Yonge High School, guiding the team to three consecutive state final four appearances, including the 2000 Florida State Championship – the first in school history. She coached and developed 10 All-State selections, including the Florida State Player of the Year, and was named Florida High School Coach of the Year for her accomplishments.
A native of Gainesville, Fla., Hampton-Keith graduated from Florida International with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She and her husband Maark are the parents of a daughter, Yaeli (11 months).
What They're Saying About Coach Hampton-Keith
Jason Watson, Arizona State Head Coach
"I'm excited for Linda and the student-athletes at NC State. They are going to experience what I've come to greatly respect. Linda will be good for her athletes. She is going to help them become great volleyball players and even better people. I will miss the opportunity to interact with her on a daily basis. She helped us elevate our program at ASU and has made me a much better Head Coach."
Kathy DeBoer, AVCA Executive Director
"What a great hire by NC State! Linda Hampton-Keith is one of our bright, young stars. She has paid her dues as an assistant, she has seized leadership opportunities with our Minority Coaches group, she has been deliberate in her search for the right fit and has found it!"
Mary Wise, University of Florida Head Coach
"For some time now it was clear Linda was more than ready to be a head coach. The only question was which school was going to be fortunate enough to entice her away from the great situation she had at ASU. NC State and Linda Hampton-Keith are a perfect fit. The school, the fans, and soon the players, will see what a terrific person and coach they have in her."
Kimberly Johnson, Senior Associate AD / Senior Woman Administrator at TCU
"Linda Hampton-Keith is a rising star. She is highly motivated and committed to excellence. She will be a tremendous asset to the Wolfpack."
"We believe Coach Hampton-Keith is the right architect to build our volleyball program for sustainable success," said Yow. "Her collegiate coaching experience and work with the USA Volleyball Youth Development Program has prepared her well to lead our program. We welcome Linda, her husband Maark and their daughter Yaeli to the Wolfpack Family."
Hampton-Keith brings a wealth of experience to NC State, including 14 years as an assistant coach at the Division I level, 12 years with the USA Volleyball Development Program and three as a head coach of a varsity program on the high school level.
"I would like to thank Chancellor Randy Woodson and Director of Athletics Debbie Yow for this wonderful opportunity to become the next head coach of NC State Volleyball," said Hampton-Keith. "It became evident throughout this process that there is a commitment to excellence and a culture of teamwork throughout NC State and the athletic department and I am humbled and honored to lead the volleyball program during this exciting time.
"From the moment I stepped on campus it became clear that under Dr. Yow's leadership NC State athletics has moved in a direction that supports success at the highest levels. I am looking forward to partnering with the administration, our staff and our team to move our volleyball program in a direction befitting of the NC State vision."
She joins the Pack following a five-year stint at Arizona State, serving as associate head coach in her final three seasons. She helped guide the Sun Devils to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of the past four seasons, and reached as high as No. 5 in the national rankings in 2015 after a 15-0 start.
Known as a relentless recruiter, she has enhanced the Sun Devils' recruiting efforts resulting in nationally-ranked classes in four of her five years in Tempe. ASU's 2013 recruiting class was tabbed No. 13 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, one of the highest in program history.
During her time with the Sun Devils, the program produced two All-Americans, two all-region performers, five All-Pac 12 selections and four Pac 12 All-Freshman Team members.
Hampton-Keith has also worked closely with the nation's top youth players through the USA Volleyball Youth Development Programs. She coached at USA High Performance camps from 2001-05, served as head coach for the USA Volleyball North Texas Region Team in 2007, assisted the Youth National A2 Team in 2009, and most recently assisted the USA Collegiate National Team in 2013 and 2014.
Prior to joining Arizona State, Hampton-Keith spent six seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas Christian University. While in Fort Worth, she helped the Horned Frogs post four consecutive winning seasons and earn their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009, which included a 3-0 victory against Rice in the first round.
In her last three seasons at TCU, the Horned Frogs charted 20 or more wins in each campaign, highlighted by a program-best 27 victories in 2009. Hampton-Keith helped three players from the '09 squad earn All-America honors.
Under her tutelage, Christy Hudson was a three-time all-conference selection and All-American, while Megan Munce claimed Mountain West Conference (MWC) Setter of the Year honors. In total, four players secured All-America honors, four all-region selections and seven Mountain West All-Conference honors during her tenure with the Horned Frogs.
Hampton-Keith was an assistant coach at North Texas in 2005, after spending the previous two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at her alma mater Florida International.
Before assuming her position with the Panthers, she was the head coach at P.K. Yonge High School, guiding the team to three consecutive state final four appearances, including the 2000 Florida State Championship – the first in school history. She coached and developed 10 All-State selections, including the Florida State Player of the Year, and was named Florida High School Coach of the Year for her accomplishments.
A native of Gainesville, Fla., Hampton-Keith graduated from Florida International with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She and her husband Maark are the parents of a daughter, Yaeli (11 months).
What They're Saying About Coach Hampton-Keith
Jason Watson, Arizona State Head Coach
"I'm excited for Linda and the student-athletes at NC State. They are going to experience what I've come to greatly respect. Linda will be good for her athletes. She is going to help them become great volleyball players and even better people. I will miss the opportunity to interact with her on a daily basis. She helped us elevate our program at ASU and has made me a much better Head Coach."
Kathy DeBoer, AVCA Executive Director
"What a great hire by NC State! Linda Hampton-Keith is one of our bright, young stars. She has paid her dues as an assistant, she has seized leadership opportunities with our Minority Coaches group, she has been deliberate in her search for the right fit and has found it!"
Mary Wise, University of Florida Head Coach
"For some time now it was clear Linda was more than ready to be a head coach. The only question was which school was going to be fortunate enough to entice her away from the great situation she had at ASU. NC State and Linda Hampton-Keith are a perfect fit. The school, the fans, and soon the players, will see what a terrific person and coach they have in her."
Kimberly Johnson, Senior Associate AD / Senior Woman Administrator at TCU
"Linda Hampton-Keith is a rising star. She is highly motivated and committed to excellence. She will be a tremendous asset to the Wolfpack."
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