TEMPE, Ariz. --Washburn tennis head coach Kirby Ronning was named the ITA/Dunlop Women's Tennis Coach of the Year on Tuesday afternoon by the organization. Ronning is the first coach in Ichabod history to be named the National Coach of the Year on either the men's or women's side. 

Kirby Ronning from Washburn University has been named the 2026 ITA Division II Women's Coach of the Year. Leading his team to a 20-5 record on the season, Ronning and the Washburn team reached new heights in 2026. Returning to the NCAA final site for the fifth time in program history this season, Washburn entered the tournament as the as the No. 9 seeded team in the round of sixteen. This season, Washburn earned seven ranked wins, including wins over Midwestern State and Augustana who each also made the final site. This past fall, Ronning helped lead a doubles team to the semifinals of the ITA Cup and had a singles player crowned champion at the ITA Regional Championships.

He earns his fourth coaching accolade of the year after being named the MIAA/GAC Men's Coach of the Year as well as the ITA Men's and Women's Central Region Coach of the Year.