Kris Kern enters his first year as head coach of UPIKE volleyball in 2023-24. Kern was hired in January, 2023 as the sixth head coach of the UPIKE volleyball program.
Kern comes to UPIKE with a hefty resume, with over 40 years of experience at the high school and collegiate levels. His most recent stint was spent at NCAA Division II West Virginia State where he led the Yellow Jackets for six seasons beginning in 2017. In just his second season at WVSU, Kern matched the single season program record with 25 wins, which was the first winning season in almost a decade.
Following a 30-5 (15-1 MEC) season in 2021 that included a conference championship, Kern was named the Mountain East Conference Coach of the Year. His 125-54 record (.698) is the highest win percentage in WVSU history.
His leadership is reflected in the success of his student-athletes, coaching the 2020-21 MEC Player of the Year, 2018-19 Freshman of the Year, and 16 All-MEC Athletes.
Before joining the collegiate ranks, Kern spent 36 years coaching high school volleyball in Ohio. In that span, Kern won over 800 matches to become the winningest high school volleyball coach in Ohio history. His journey began at Father Wehrle High School where he spent nine seasons starting in 1981. He led the Wolverines to four league championships, two district championships, and a state finals appearance in 1990.
He continued to establish his standard of excellence, with stops at Pickerington High School, Lancaster High School, and Pickerington North High School to name a few. He is the winningest coach in Pickerington and Pickerington North High School history and led Lancaster to 11 conference titles.
All said, Kern's teams have claimed two regional championships, 14 district titles, 33 sectional championships, and 19 conference titles. His impressive personal accolades include 40 various Coach of the Year honors, and three All-Ohio High School State Coaches Achievement Awards.
With so much experience, Kern's coaching tree is extensive and wide ranging. Several coaches have shared their sentiment for his future with the Bears.
Coach Kern holds an RBA and a Masters of Science and sports management from West Virginia State University. His son, Connor, played NCAA Division I basketball at the Citadel.
Kern's Season-By-Season Record
| Season |
Overall Record |
AAC Record |
Conference Tournament |
| 2023 |
20-12 |
10-11 |
First Round |
| Overall |
20-12 |
10-11 |
|
