College Softball News

Brian Levin: Changing the culture of Belmont softball

Belmont Softball

There’s something exciting in the air near Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s not just the music. It’s Belmont Softball.

“It’s like an unknown excitement,” said Belmont senior Chelsey Deloney. “We’ve been together for almost a year now but we are about to be in full swing, the full season with our new coach. It’s pretty exciting because we’ve put in a lot of hard work and I know everyone anxious to get the softball season going.”

On July 8, 2016, Brian Levin was named the new head coach at Belmont University. Levin moved to Nashville from the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he led the Tritons to four consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament berths. He also happens to be the first coaching hire made by new Athletic Director Scott Corely.

“We were very blessed to get a lot of great candidates. I think there’s a natural attraction to the university, particularly being located in Nashville, being a DI program in the Ohio Valley Conference,” said Corely. “We had over 45 applicants apply but I was looking for someone who had head coaching experience. WE aren’t a power five school with a power five budget so our head coach has to wear a lot of hats. So, as we narrowed down it became more and more clear that Brian was the someone we were looking for.”

Last season, the Bruins finished 19-35, 11-16 in the OVC. The 19 wins marked a program high since becoming a Division I program in 1999.

Levin, who is currently the head coach of the National Professional Fastpitch league’s Akron Racers, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Belmont. He also brings discipline.

The St. Louis-area native spent 20 years in the military, spending 15 of those at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 5th Special Forces Group. While stationed there, he volunteered for several sports at Fort Campbell High School including softball. He even founded the Clarksville Heat Softball Organization. The familiarity with the city has made his transition a little easier.

“I spent a lot of time, when my daughter was younger, coming to Nashville to visit Cheri Kempf’s Club K facility,” said Levin. “It’s kind of funny because I was here so long in the military and would come to Nashville weekly and went back home to coach at UMSL. But now, I come back to Nashville so it’s (the transition) been great.”

Levin is changing the culture at Belmont from the girls on the team to the people who hired him. With the season opener on Feb. 10, softball is creating a buzz around town.

“I wholeheartedly agree that changing the culture is the biggest thing on our checklist for Belmont softball,” said Deloney. “It’s more of a family culture right now and I love it.”

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