LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Coming off its record 10th 3C2A State Championship, Cypress College was named 2023 ATEC/NFCA Cal JC National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Tuesday afternoon.
NFCA Hall of Fame head coach Brad Pickler, along with assistants Kevin Monahan, Nicole Wise and Chris Brown guided the Chargers to their first title since 2017. In come-from-behind fashion, Cypress used a seventh-inning rally against Palomar College to force an if-game with a 3-2 win. They followed with a 1-0 triumph in the winner-take-all contest and are the first team since 2016 to go home with the championship after losing their first game of the tournament.
Pickler, who completed his 36th season with the Chargers, steered Cypress to a 44-7 record, its 30th state finals appearance and 26th Orange Empire Conference crown. Along with the 10 state championships, Pickler, who has over 1,400 career wins, has led the Chargers to a pair of runner-up and five third-place finishes.
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaching awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from webinars to legal counsel, to in-person events and the National Convention.
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ATEC/NFCA National Softball Coaching Staff of the Year
