Larry McKay is retiring as head coach of the Winnipeg Wesmen men's volleyball program after more than three decades at the helm.
 
McKay, regarded as one of the top volleyball coaches in Canada, will step away from his position in July after leading one of the elite programs in the country for 35 years.
 
McKay took over the head coaching role in 1989 and guided the Wesmen to two national championships in that time, the most recent in 2006-07 in Hamilton, Ont.
 
He was named the Canadian university national coach of the year three times, most recently after the 2017-18 season.
 
McKay's resume includes extensive experience at the international level as well, having been on the staff of several of Canada's national teams, including as an assistant at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and as the head coach of the 2021 national squad that finished second at NORCECA and qualified for the world championship.
 
"When I arrived as coach, the Wesmen were a top-four program in Canada in 1989, and I remain grateful to then-Athletic Director Aubrey Ferris for the opportunity here," McKay said. "Historically the program has been one of the very best in Canada with 10 national championships and it has been my great honour to be a part of that."
 
A 2011 inductee into the Volleyball Manitoba Hall of Fame, McKay will retire as the longest-serving head coach in the history of Wesmen Athletics.
 
"It is hard for me to imagine the Winnipeg Wesmen lining up without Larry on the sidelines," Wesmen Athletics Director Dave Crook said. "He is, in my mind, the best volleyball coach in this country. We cannot replace Larry; we will instead find a new coach to take his place."
 
The university will now set forth on seeking a replacement for McKay for the 2024-25 season and beyond.