SA NCAA DI Preseason Top 25

Softball America released their NCAA Division I Preseason Top 25

The Florida Gators start the season in the No. 1 spot, while last years National Runners-up Texas Longhorns follow at No. 2, and the defending National Champion Oklahoma Sooners come in at No. 3.

  1. Florida
  2. Texas
  3. Oklahoma
  4. Oklahoma State
  5. UCLA
  6. Tennessee
  7. Texas A&M
  8. Duke
  9. Texas Tech
  10. Florida State
  11. Alabama
  12. LSU
  13. Arkansas
  14. Arizona
  15. Missouri
  16. Baylor
  17. Georgia
  18. Northwestern
  19. California
  20. Liberty
  21. Nebraska
  22. Virgnia Tech
  23. Michigan
  24. Virginia
  25. Penn State

Longtime Coach Conlan Out At Georgetown

After 19 seasons Pat Conlan has departed as head coach at Georgetown. Conlan produced a 269-573 record while guiding the program. Georgetown Administration as indicated a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately. The Hoyas open the 2025 season in less than a month on February 7 in Charleston, SC.

Gillispie Steps Away From Iowa

Iowa has announced that Head Coach Renee Gillispie is stepping away from leading the Hawkeyes for the 2025 season due to a personal health matter.

Gillispie has lead Iowa for six seasons. In 2024 the Hawkeyes went 18-28 and 6-17 in Big 10 play.

Assistant Coach Brian Levin has been named interim head coach.

Schweikert To Lead Whittier

Terry Schweikert has been named the new head coach at Whittier College. The coaching veteran spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Cal State Northridge. She has also had stops on staff at Missouri, Nebraska, Cal State Fullerton, Texas A&M, and UC Riverside during a nearly four decade career.

King Joins Brown Staff

Wally King has joined the coaching staff at Brown. King will work with both the defense and offensive, while coordinating recruiting. He spent the last two seasons on the coaching staff at Madonna. King also had head coaching stops at Furman and Ferris State . His assistant coaching stops include South Florida and Syracuse. King is also one of the top clinicians nationally.

Beloved Coach Fred Gillum Passes

RTS is saddened to report the passing of longtime Coach Fred Gillum. The coaching journeyman spent parts of three decades on the collegiate level before retiring from the profession to Michigan to work with College Connect and pursue his passion of golf. Gillum had successful head coaching stops at Sue Bennett College, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Mars Hill University, and Tusculum University. He also worked on coaching staffs as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin, Piedmont, and Belmont. Gillum was a stalwart instructor at many national camps and clinics, and one of the most beloved personalities in the coaching profession.

Whittier Coach Leaves for Cal State Fullerton

Trisha Senyo had stepped down as head coach at Whittier College to accept an assistant position on staff at Cal State Fullerton. Senyo has coached the Poets since 2018 amassing a 114-95-2 record. She also served as Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator at Whittier.

Former Armstrong Coach Evans Passes

RTS is saddened to report the passing of former Armstrong State Head Coach Ted Evans. Evans coached the Pirates for 12 seasons between 2005-2016 compiling a 418-213-1 record. During that time the program advanced to three NCAA DII World Series. He also had runs as an assistant with JUCO powerhouse Chattanooga State, and finished his coaching career assisting at Bryan College.

A former player in the Cincinnati Reds organization, Evans played and coached competitive men’s fastpitch for 19 years being named Player of the Year three times in the nationally renowned Dixie Major League in Chattanooga.

Catawba Makes Leadership Change

Brady Tigert has departed as head coach at Catawba College. The institute announced a change in leadership on Tuesday. Tigert led the Indians for three seasons compiling a 54-79 record. Program alum and Athletics Hall of Famer Allie Lyerly will serve as interim head coach for the 2025 season.

UGA Opens New Facility

Georgia has unveiled their new training facility at Jack Turner Stadium. The 20,000 square foot $38.5 million facility includes a four-lane batting cage with a full practice turf infield, weight room, locker room, team lounge and nutrition space, video room, athletic training room, and equipment room.