College Softball Coaching Hot Stove
Coaching changes have begun and more jobs will be opening in coming weeks as we get closer to the end of the college softball season. But who could be some of the names on the move? We will discuss some of job openings and potential hires as well as jobs that could open up.
UConn Parts Ways with Jen McIntyre
UConn announced on Wednesday that they were parting ways with Head Coach, Jen McIntyre. It is an interesting move for a program who’s facilities are among the worst in college softball. Supposedly a new softball stadium is coming in the next season.
Despite improvements in 2018, which saw the Huskies have their best season in the American Conference finishing in sixth place and winning eight games which is most UConn has won since joining the conference in 2014. They had just two seniors on roster. However this progress was not enough to save McIntyre. The question becomes, “can you win at UConn”? Consider this, softball is behind women’s basketball and soccer and play in a conference against programs in the south region who have a huge recruiting and weather advantage; such as, South Florida, UCF, and Houston.
A likely candidate for job includes Boston’s Ashley Waters who led the Terriors to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons. But the Huskies may have competition for Waters from a major northeast power five school in Boston College. Other names to consider include Shannon Salsburg who took Monmouth to NCAA Tournament this year and has turned that program around. The NCAA Tournament bid was the first in Monmouth’s history. Joey Lyle from Bucknell also could be a name UConn looks at as well as UMass-Lowell’s Head Coach, Danielle Henderson, who led UMass-Lowell to a regular season title and was a former All-American at UMass.
Boston College Departs with Ashley Obrest
Boston College parted ways with Ashley Obrest after a 18-35 season and a 4-20 record in the ACC during 2019. Keep in mind, with so many new ACC head coaches having success in their first seasons, this move was not a surprise. Obrest did have five winning seasons in eight campaigns but no NCAA Tournament appearances. The Eagles may try to lure Loren LaPorte of James Madison but that seems more like a long shot. As mentioned earlier, Waters is the name to keep in mind for this job as it makes sense with Waters already in area and has proven to be a strong coach while leading the Terriors to a regular in the NCAA Tournament. But like UConn, the question coaches will ask is, “can I win at Boston College in softball”?
UNC -Charlotte Parts Ways With Aimee Devos
DeVos recorded a 630-711-2 mark over her 25 years with the program. This past year, the 49ers struggled going 15-35 and have consistently struggled since joining the C-USA.
Look for James Madison’s associate coach, Jennifer Herzig, to be the front runner for the job as Herzig played at Charlotte from 1997-2001 and was also an assistant coach under Aimee Devos. Herzig was a head coach for seven seasons at UNCG prior to being hired by Mickey Dean to come to JMU on September 5, 2012. Herzig has helped the Dukes reach the Super Regionals twice including this season as JMU heads to Los Angeles to take on the Bruins. Herzig was promoted to associate head coach last year by current Coach LaPorte.
If Herzig passes on returning to her school than perhaps UNCG’s Janelle Brenaman could get the nod. She has led UNCG to two NCAA Tournament appearances and has won the last three regular season So Con Conference Championships and helped lead program to the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Southern Miss Wendy Hogue Resigns
Wendy Hogue resigned after going 124-146 over five seasons. Southern Miss posted a 30-22 record in 2019 losing in the first round of C-USA Tournament despite having the C-USA Pitcher of the Year, Abby Trahan. Trahan has since left Southern Miss and has reunited with her previous head coach, Jennifer Patrick Swift at North Carolina State. Trahan played under Patrick-Swift at Saint Francis.
Two names Southern Miss should reach out to is Mississippi State’s Tyler Bratton who a native of the state and has been an assistant in Starkville for six seasons. The next is Ole Miss associate coach, Ruben Felix, who has helped Mike Smith turn the Rebels to a NCAA Tournament program, reaching the Super Regionals for second time in three seasons and wants to be a head coach.
But the question here is, “how much commitment is Southern Miss willing to make in softball?” Would Bratton or Felix leave the good situations they are positioned in for a C-USA Head coaching job? The thought is that Bratton would be more likely to leave for the job than Felix. If Bratton or Felix prove to be too expensive or pass all together, another name to consider is Mississippi College’s Brooke O’Hair. She has helped transition Mississippi College from winning in Division III to Division II as they been a NCAA Tournament program and contender in the Gulf South. O’Hair is a former player at Mississippi State.
Changes at Texas A&M?
Sources have shared that Texas A&M ‘s Jo Evans is expected to make changes to her staff and that the Aggies are targeting a big name hitting coach. Volunteer coach, Keith Stein, is not expected to be back and speculation is that long time associate coach, Joy Jackson, may move in to an administrative position with Texas A&M. It is no secret the struggles the Aggies have had on and off the field with transfers, departures, and finishing last in SEC conference while barely making the NCAA Tournament.
Texas A&M currently has an interim Athletic Director at the helm, R.C. Slocum, as Scott Woodward left last month for the same position at LSU. Senior Associate Athletic Director, Jeff Toole, who oversees softball has been said to be concern on the direction of program and may be the one that has suggested Evans to make changes.
Names linked to the potential job opening include Florida State’s assistant coach, Craig Snider, who’s wife is from Bellville, Texas. The question will be, “is will the potential new hitting coach have a chance to be the next head coach of the Aggies as an appeal to the job”? That may be what draws someone like Snider away from Florida State. Snider is no stranger to being in coaching rumors as last off-season he was rumored to be at the top of Louisville head coaching candidate list. Snider is from the state of Kentucky but stayed at Florida State.
If not Snider, perhaps Texas A&M looks to Georgia and tries to pry away an SEC assistant coach like Tony Baldwin. Similar to what the Aggies did years ago with pulled Gerry Glasco away from Georgia.
One thing is for sure, all eyes are looking towards College Station to see if changes are made and, if so, could it set off a domino effect in the coaching circuit this off-season?
