Head Coach Krista Rice

Rice was named Oakland University volleyball’s head coach on March 16, 2022 following six seasons with the Chippewas of Central Michigan.

Following her inaugural, 2022 season, Rice produced an All-Horizon League First Team honoree in Patti Cesarini who also took home the team's solo Horizon League All-Academic honor. The squad's 11-19 record included one of the largest upsets in NCAA Division I Volleyball, a 3-2 road victory over Green Bay, and the best team record (2-1) at the Kent State Invitational, Rice's alma mater. Under Rice's direction, four Golden Grizzlies were named College Sport Communicators Academic-All District in Cesarini, Jessica Riedl, Madison Ross, and AnnaBelle Tomei. Ross eclipsed the 1,000-plus assist mark under Rice's tutelage.

As the Associate Head Coach in Mount Pleasant, Rice primarily worked with recruitment of prospective student-athletes, scouting and analysis of opponents, forming a competitive schedule, and other responsibilities. Rice was on the 2019 staff when CMU received a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

In 2017-18, Rice was selected by the NCAA in its Leadership Development Minority Coaches Forum.

Previously, the leader was an assistant coach at Toledo as the team’s recruiting coordinator and worked with the Rockets’ defense plus adding blocker and middle training ahead of a stint as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at Michigan State in 2012-2014 as the Spartans made it to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament twice during that span.

Rice was a four-year starter for Kent State as a middle blocker, starting her coaching career with the Golden Flashes working with team and individual camps. Rice received her Master’s Degree from Central Michigan in 2020.

A resident of Oakland Township, Rice and her husband Bruce with their twin sons Lennox and Spencer and daughter Corinne.