RTS has learned that former Texas A&M standout Lexi Smith will join the coaching staff at Northwestern State. She spent the 2021 season as an assistant at Southwestern University in Texas. Smith also spent time at her alma mater as a student assistant for the Aggies and was head coach at Jourdanton High School. She will direct the pitching staff for NSU.
Walter Departs UMD for UST
University of Minnesota Duluth head coach Jen Walter has stepped down to accept an assistant position at the University of St. Thomas. She joins new Tommies head coach Jen Bagley Trotter’s staff as UST makes the unprecedented move from Division III to Division I in 2021-22. Walter spent six seasons as the Bulldogs coach where she compiled a 186-98 record along with three NCAA Tournament berths and one Regional Championship in 2018.
Yegge To Be Named Missouri Western Coach
Sources have confirmed to RTS that DePaul associate head coach Joe Yegge will be named the new head coach at Missouri Western State. The veteran coach spent the past three seasons with the Blue Demons after coming to the Chicagoland from Kirkwood Community College. In 15 seasons at both KCC and Northern Iowa Area Community College, Yegge compiled an impressive 659-253 record while making six appearances in the NJCAA World Series.
Kolze Named to DI Women’s Softball Committee
Pacific head coach Brian Kolze has been named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Softball Committee. He will now be part of the group of coaches and administrators that select the field of 64 teams each postseason that will compete for the national championship. Kolze enters his 30th season with UoP in 2022, and has compiled 795 wins leading the Tigers.
Longtime New Haven Coach Starek To Coach UMass-Lowell
Sources have confirmed to RTS that New Haven Coach Jen Starek will be named the new head coach at UMass-Lowell. Starek coached the Chargers for 15 seasons and is the program’s winningest coach. She replaces Danielle Henderson who returned to be head coach at her alma mater and UMass flagship in Amherst.
Woodard To Join Sisters Staff At Texas State
RTS has learned from sources that UAB assistant coach Scott Woodard will depart the program and join the coaching staff at Texas State. Woodard arrived in Birmingham in the summer of 2020 to work primarily with the offense and on the recruiting side of the program. The move reunites him with his sister, Ricci Woodard, which has lead the Bobcat program for 21 seasons. Woodard is best known for his WCWS runs as a member of coaching staffs at Arizona State and Auburn.
Schilling To Lead Northern State
Northern State has named Ashley Schilling their new head coach. Schilling spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri Western State. In those seasons the Griffons were 78-46 and advanced to the MIAA Tournament in 2019 and 2021 and the NCAA Central Regional in 2019.
Ruechel Names App State Pitching Coach
Natalie Ruechel has been named to the coaching staff at Appalachian State. She will direct the Mountaineer Pitching Staff. Ruechel spent the 2021 season on staff at Buffalo after prior stops at UNC Wilmington, Valparaiso, Averett, and Carroll.
Lock Takes Over At Birmingham-Southern
Amanda Locke has been named the new head coach at Birmingham-Southern. Locke, the Alabama alum and former standout, joins the Panthers from the coaching staff at Northwestern State. She had two stints on staff with the Demons from 2013-2014 and 2019-2021. Nestled in-between she served as the pitching coach at Texas Tech.
Bump Promoted At Binghamton
Binghamton has promoted assistant Jess Bump to head coach. Bump has served on staff for the Bearcats since 2017. The BU alum also had stops on staffs at Kentucky and Lafayette.