GUELPH, Ont. – After 20 seasons as head coach of the University of Guelph women's volleyball program,
Paul Funk has announced his retirement. The Surrey, B.C. native took over as head coach of the Gryphons women's volleyball team back in 2005 and has made a lasting impact during his coaching tenure at the University of Guelph.
"Over the course of his two decades overseeing our women's volleyball program, Paul did a tremendous job setting up our student-athletes for success both on and off the court," says
Scott McRoberts, Director of Athletics at the University of Guelph. "His hard work and dedication not only produced some impressive results but also has helped to ensure that the program is in a really good place moving forward following his retirement. We cannot thank Paul enough for all of his contributions over the years and we wish him well in his next chapter." Paul is one of just three individuals in U of G women's volleyball program history to have earned
OUA Coach of the Year honours, with Funk earning the conference's top coaching distinction on
three separate occasions (2013-14, 2016-17 & 2017-18), making him the
only coach in program history to be named
OUA Coach of the Year on multiple occasions. Over the course of his two decades on the Gryphon bench, Paul's teams produced some impressive numbers:
** 168 regular season wins
** 10 playoff appearances
** 1 OUA bronze medal (2019-20)
** 1 OUA silver medal (2010-11)
Under Paul's guidance, the student-athletes on the Gryphons women's volleyball team reached new heights:
** 32 OUA All-Stars
** 3 OUA major award winners
** 2 U SPORTS All-Rookie selections
** 1 U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian
Paul coached his final game with the Gryphons on Saturday, February 8, 2025, with
Guelph defeating the Lakeahead Thunderwolves in straight sets.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that I have been afforded to be a U SPORTS head coach for 20 years," says
Paul Funk, whose time with the Gryphons spanned from 2005-06 to 2024-25. "I have met and worked with so many quality people who I owe a debt of gratitude toward, administrators, facilities workers, assistant coaches, strength and conditioning support staff, athletic therapists, student trainers, game day staff, all of whom without, this job would not be possible. I am also thankful for all the student-athletes who have participated in the program over the years. It's been a pleasure working with you day-to-day in the gym and my hope is that being a part of the women's volleyball program here at the University of Guelph has had a positive impact on your life. To all of you, I express my heartfelt appreciation for our time together. Thank you and GO GRYPHONS!" The University of Guelph Department of Athletics will begin a search for the next head coach of the Gryphons women's volleyball program in the coming weeks.
