ATHENS, Ohio (11/20/25) – Ohio Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid announced today (Nov. 20) that Kenzie Brinkman has been named Ohio's 13^th head volleyball coach, removing the interim tag she has held since May.

"We are extremely excited and thankful to have Coach Brinkman lead our volleyball program," said Larscheid. "Over the course of the last four seasons, Kenzie has developed outstanding relationships with our student-athletes and campus community. Her experience, leadership abilities and coaching style are an ideal fit for Ohio University."
Brinkman has led Ohio volleyball to a 12-6 Mid-American Conference record, earning the No. 3 seed to the 2025 MAC Volleyball Tournament.

"My husband, Clark, and I are more than thrilled and blessed to get the opportunity to stay in Athens and continue to be part of the Bobcat community," said Brinkman. "A place is only as good as the people in it, and I truly am surrounded by the best. This program is special.  I am honored and humbled to be the next head coach, and I'm very appreciative of Slade for entrusting me with the keys to a program with a rich history that I hope to continue in years to come."

As an assistant coach, Brinkman primarily worked with the setters and the offense and assisted with Ohio's back-row defense.  Since joining the program, Ohio has earned nine MAC Setter of the Week honors. The team ranked second for assists in the conference in 2022 and fifth in 2023.

In 2024, Brinkman was recognized as a member of the 2024 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 college group. In the same year, Brinkman helped two Bobcats, Anna Kharchynska and Kam Hunt, achieve All-MAC honors. Brinkman also coached freshman Bryn Janke, who led the Bobcats with 633 assists, ranking ninth in the MAC.

During the 2023 season, Brinkman and the Bobcats once again made an appearance in the MAC Quarterfinals. Brinkman helped Ohio finish with an 18-13 overall and 13-5 conference record. Caitlin O'Farrell and Kharchynska both received All-MAC First Team honors, while Hunt was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team. Under Brinkman, Parker Kwiatkowski and Tria McLean both earned two MAC East Division Setter of the Week honors. McLean concluded the season first on the team for assists and seventh in the MAC with a total of 725.

Brinkman helped Ohio achieve an overall 20-12 and a conference record of 13-5 in 2022. Caroline Clippard and O'Farrell earned All-MAC honors while Kharchynska was selected for the MAC All-Freshman Team. Ohio also returned to the MAC Tournament, playing in the quarterfinals. In her first season with Ohio, the Bobcats earned six MAC East Division Setter of the Week honors between Kwiatkowski and McLean. Both Kwiatkowski and McLean ranked in the top 10 of the MAC in assists.
Brinkman served as an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy. With Army, Brinkman helped guide the Cadets to their first Patriot League title and NCAA Tournament berth since 2009. Brinkman also helped coach four All-Patriot League performers in the historic 2020 season. 

Prior to West Point, she spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers went 71-4 during Brinkman's two seasons on the staff, reaching the MIAA Championship in both seasons with two trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament. In 2019, UNK went 38-1 and reached the NCAA Division II Finals. 
The Grand Rapids, Mich. native was a defensive specialist and setter at Creighton for five years. A three-time Big East Conference All-Academic Team qualifier, she helped the Bluejays reach five NCAA Tournaments and win four Big East Tournament titles.

A member of the Dean's List and winner of the 2017 True Blue Award, Brinkman amassed 528 digs and 476 assists in her career. As a junior, she had a season-best 17 digs in an NCAA Tournament win over Northern Iowa and had 13 more in a Sweet 16 win against Michigan.

At Northview High in Grand Rapids, Brinkman was tabbed the Detroit Free Press Senior Athlete of the Year and the Ottawa-Kent Conference Female Athlete of the Year as a member of the school's volleyball and basketball teams. 

Brinkman lives in Athens with her husband, Clark, and daughter, Scottie.

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