Courtesy of Maryland Athletics
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland director of athletics Kevin Anderson has announced the hiring of Courtney Scott as head coach of the Maryland softball program. Scott, who was an assistant for Maryland in 2009 and 2010, has been part of coaching staffs that have made seven NCAA Tournament appearances in the last eight seasons.
“We would like to welcome Courtney back to the University of Maryland,” Anderson said. “Courtney is a tremendous coach who has had success at every level of collegiate softball. She played a major role in Maryland’s success during her time as an assistant coach and we are thrilled to have her guide the softball team into the Big Ten Conference.”
Scott spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Louisville, helping to lead the Cardinals to the inaugural 2014 American Athletic Conference tournament crown. The Cardinals recorded a 176-60 (.746) cumulative record over Scott’s four seasons as an assistant, in addition to boasting four NFCA All-Americans, 29 all-conference honorees and four NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I would first like to thank Kevin Anderson, Kelly Mehrtens and Marcus Wilson for the opportunity to return to Maryland and lead the softball program,” Scott said. “I am incredibly excited about the vision and direction of the athletic department as it transitions into the Big Ten Conference. The University of Maryland has tremendous resources academically, athletically and geographically and I look forward to leading the softball program into a new era. I also want to thank the student-athletes, coaches and fans at the University of Louisville for their terrific support.”
Cardinal pitcher/utility player Maryssa Becker had a career season in 2014 under Scott’s tutelage, earning NFCA Division I All-Central Region second team honors in addition to being named one of the top 25 for NFCA Freshman of the Year.
Scott played a pivotal role in the Cardinals’ 47-13 season in 2013, as Louisville climbed to No. 7 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. The Louisville pitching staff was dominant, posting a 2.38 ERA and leading the Big East with 47 victories.
The 2012 campaign was even better for Louisville, which totaled a program-best 55-5 record while capturing Big East regular season and tournament titles. The Cardinals’ pitching staff ranked fourth in the nation with a 1.39 ERA, while Chelsea Leonard led the nation in saves. Pitcher Tori Collins and Taner Fowler earned NFCA All-America and Caralisa Connell was an All-Big East honoree.
Scott knows the College Park area well, having coached the Terrapins as an assistant during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The Terps advanced to their first NCAA Tournament in more than 10 seasons in 2010, as Maryland’s pitching staff led the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 1.71 ERA (ninth in the nation). Her pitching staff also combined for 12 shutouts and 471 strikeouts.
Prior to her time at Maryland, Scott spent two years as graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma. She was part of the staff that guided the Sooners to a 47-14 record en route to a Super Regional appearance in 2008.
The Clovis, Calif., native was an NFCA All-American catcher at California-Berkeley where she was a captain and four-year starter. During her time there, Scott helped lead the Golden Bears to four Women’s College World Series appearances including the 2002 national title and a runner-up showing in 2003.
She went on to play for the National Professional Fastpitch league’s NYNJ Juggernaut in 2004 and helped her team to the NPF Championship. Scott then traveled overseas for a three-year stint in the Japan League where she was a member of LeoPalace21. The Tokyo-based team finished third in 2005 and 2006 and was runner-up in 2004.
Scott graduated from California-Berkeley in 2003 with a bachelor of Arts in American Business and Globalism and American Studies. She earned her masters of Arts and Human Relations degree from Oklahoma in 2008.
What They’re Saying:
“Courtney did a tremendous job here working with our pitchers and catchers. She is a gifted coach and while we are sorry to see her go, I am excited for her to have this career opportunity. With her playing and coaching experience and knowledge of the game, I have no doubt that she will be successful as a head coach.” – Sandy Pearsall, Louisville Head Coach
“I believe I can speak on behalf of all Big Ten coaches when I say the University of Maryland has made a great hire in Courtney Scott. Courtney is a rising star in the coaching ranks. She is prepared and ready to take the reign and lead the University of Maryland Softball program. She has won everywhere she has been, and she will continue her winning ways as a Terrapin. This is an exciting day as we are adding a person with a national championship pedigree to the Big Ten Conference.” – Rhonda Revelle, Nebraska Head Coach
“Maryland hit a home run with the hiring of Courtney Scott. Her experiences in our sport — playing at Cal, being a national champion and All-American, playing in Japan professionally, working in our program and at Maryland and Louisville — have set her up to be successful. She’s taken her time to find the right fit. I appreciate that she’s been patient and loyal to the programs she’s been in, but the Maryland job is a perfect fit for her. I’m pleased that the Maryland administration has recognized that. I know she’ll surround herself with great assistants, and I believe Courtney will turn that program around. She’s a tremendous female role model for the players. I’m very excited to see what she’ll do with that program. I think it will be a competitive team in the Big Ten, and I will always be there to help mentor her if she needs it.” — Patty Gasso, Oklahoma Head Coach
