LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ten highly successful programs were honored by the NFCA as Division I Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, announced the Association Monday afternoon. Five Women’s College World Series participants were chosen by their respective regions, including Central Region winner and National Champion, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma captured its third National Championship after defeating Auburn in a grueling three-game series. The Sooners’ 32-game win streak was ended in game two, but they were able to recover and take home the championship with a 2-1 victory in game three. In route to the championship, Oklahoma topped four of the top 10 national seeds.
Representing each of the NFCA’s 10 Division I regions, these respective coaching staffs are now eligible for the NFCA’s National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 29.
Central – Oklahoma
Overall: 57-8 Big-12: 17-1
Head Coach: Patty Gasso
Associate Head Coach: Melyssa Lombardi
Assistant Coach: JT Gasso
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Andrea Gasso
Director of Operations: Jackie Livingston
Captured program’s third national championship… Big 12 regular season champions… Won 33 of its final 34 games of the season… No. 3 overall national seed… Swept Norman Regional and Super Regional… Third straight NFCA Central Region CSOY award.
Great Lakes – Michigan
Overall: 52-7 Big-10: 21-2
Head Coach: Carol Hutchins
Associate Head Coach: Bonnie Tholl
Assistant Coach: Jennifer Brundage, Alex Lagesse
Director of Operations: Nikki Nemitz
Twelfth WCWS appearance in program history… Ninth straight Big Ten regular season title… No. 2 overall national seed… Swept Ann Arbor Regional and Super Regional… Third straight NFCA Great Lakes Region CSOY award.
Mid Atlantic – Notre Dame
Overall: 43-13 ACC: 13-7
Head Coach – Deanna Gumpf
Associate Coaches: Kris Ganeff, Lizzy Ristano
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Jamie Spitale
Director of Operations: Kasey O’Connor
Eighteenth straight NCAA tournament appearance… Eighth straight 40-win season… Ann Arbor Regional runners-up… ACC Tournament runners-up… National ranked all season… Posted 4-1 record at Mary Nutter and went undefeated at Diamond 9 Citrus Classic and FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Spring Break Classic.
Mideast – University of South Florida
Overall: 45-16 AAC: 15-3
Head Coach: Ken Eriksen
Assistant Coaches: Jessica Moore, Tommy Santiago
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Avon Meacham
Graduate Assistant: Stephanie Juergens
American Athletic Conference Regular Season champions… American Athletic Conference Tournament runners-up… Tallahassee Regional appearance… Enjoyed a season-long 23-game win streak in the first half of the year and has been nationally ranked the last eight weeks of the regular season.
Midwest – North Dakota State
Overall: 39-15 ACC: 17-0
Head Coaches: Darren Mueller, Jamie Trachsel
Assistant Coach: Brynne Dordel
Graduate Assistant Manager: Kendall Grimm
Fifth straight Summit League regular season title… Third straight Summit League Tournament championship (seventh in eight years)… Undefeated conference record… Seattle Regional appearance… Third straight season with at least one win in NCAA Tournament play.
Northeast – James Madison
Overall: 50-6 CAA: 18-1
Head Coach: Mickey Dean
Assistant Coaches: Loren Messick-LaPorte, Jennifer Herzig
Volunteer Assistant: Brandon Cohen
Second straight Colonial Athletic Association Regular Season Championship… CAA Tournament and Harrisonburg Regional champions… Set program record with 50 wins… Competed (hosted) in its first Super Regional… No. 7 overall national seed… Ascended as high as No. 6 in NFCA poll.
Pacific – Fresno State
Overall: 42-12-1 MWC: 22-1
Head Coach: Trisha Ford
Assistant Coaches: Sara Pickering, Carly Wynn
Volunteer Assistant: Jeff Harger
Student Manager: Andrew Rich
Director of Operations: Taylor Green
Mountain West Conference Regular Season Champions… 23-game win streak, which included an undefeated April (15-0)… 14 weeks ranked in the top 25… Los Angeles Regional appearance.
South – Alabama
Overall: 51-14 SEC: 17-8
Head Coach: Patrick Murphy
Associate Head Coach: Alyson Habetz
Assistant Coach: Stephanie VanBrakle
Volunteer Assistant: Adam Arbour
Director of Operations: Kate Harris
Twelfth 50-win season and its 10th in the last 12 seasons… Third straight WCWS appearance and 11th overall… Tuscaloosa Regional and Super Regional Champions… No. 6 overall national seed… Won its 1000th game in program history on April 5 to become the fourth SEC program to reach this milestone.
Southeast – Auburn
Overall: 58-11 SEC: 16-7
Head Coach: Clint Myers
Assistant Coaches: Scott Woodard, Corey Myers
Volunteer Assistant: Hunter Veach
Director of Operations: Jim Beitia
National runners-up… Second straight WCWS appearance… Captured second consecutive SEC Tournament title… Auburn Regional and Super Regional Champions… Second straight NFCA Southeast Region CSOY award… No. 4 overall national seed.
West – UCLA
Overall: 40-15-1 PAC-12: 16-5-1
Head Coach: Kelly Inouye-Perez
Assistant Coaches: Lisa Fernandez, Kirk Walker
Director of Operations: Claire Donyanavard
Second straight Women’s College World Series appearance… Eugene Super Regional champions… Los Angeles Regional champions… Third straight NFCA West Region CSOY award… No. 12 overall national seed.
