Angelo State head coach Travis Scott, along with assistant coach Brent Shaw, have been named the Speedline/NFCA Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Rambelle staff will be honored at the 2004 NFCA Convention in Las Vegas.
Scott led the Rambelles to the 2004 National Championship in his first season at Angelo State. The title came just three years after the school reinstated softball. The Rambelles finished with a 47-11 record, and is second in the nation in wins the last two seasons.
In addition to the national honor, ASU also was tabbed South Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Other regional winners were as follows:
WEST REGION - Western New Mexico University
Head Coach: Freddy Flores
Assistant Coaches: Scott Woodard, Shellie Broyles
Flores led the Mustangs to the 2004 National Tournament, where they finished tied for fifth. WNMU completed the season with a 45-13 record, including a 20-0 mark at home. The Mustangs won their third consecutive Pacific West Conference title in 2004.
SOUTH REGION - Florida Southern College
Head Coach: Chris Bellotto
Assistant Coaches: Scott Schoenrock, Bobbie Brandon
Bellotto led a team that featured seven freshmen to a runner-up finish at the 2004 National Tournament. The Moccasins were 55-8 this season, winning the Sunshine State Conference with an impressive 19-2 league mark.
CO-SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION - Kennesaw State University
Head Coach: Scott Whitlock
Assistant Coach: Bill Gray
Whitlock led the Owls to the Peach Belt Conference championship and an appearance in the National Tournament. KSU finished the season with a NCAA-leading 64 wins, and was ranked No. 1 in the nation for ten consecutive weeks.
CO-SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION - Presbyterian College
Head Coach: Jeff Nickerson
Assistant Coach: Tori Rabi-Gentry
Nickerson led Presbyterian to a 48-13 record and the championship in the South Atlantic Conference tournament. The Blue Hose made an appearance in the regional championship game, the first time a team from the SAC has accomplished that feat.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION - Shippensburg University
Head Coach: Bob Brookens
Assistant Coaches: Randy Hood, Ben DeShong
Brookens led the Raiders to one of the best seasons in school history. Ship finished the year with a 48-6 record, a second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title and was the only school to return to the National Tournament, where it finished third.
NORTHEAST REGION - Caldwell College
Head Coach: Dean Johnson
Assistant Coach: Barbara Zafiris
Johnson led the Cougars to a phenomenal season. Caldwell finished the year with a 45-7 record and a fifth place finish at the National Tournament. The Cougars also claimed the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship.
GREAT LAKES REGION - Northern Kentucky University
Head Coach: Kathy Bown
Assistant Coaches: Chip Gregg, Jamie Kennedy, Molly Fachman
Bown led the Norse to the best finish in school history. NKU won the Great Lakes Valley Conference crown, then cruised to the regional title and made its first appearance in the National Tournament. The Norse finished the year with a 54-7 record.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION - St. Cloud State University
Head Coach: Paula U'Ren
Assistant Coaches: Jennifer Redlinger, Christina Missildine, Abby Bourman, Holly Bonk
U'Ren led the Huskies to the North Central Conference title and a third place finish at the 2004 National Tournament, despite being the lowest ranked team (24th) entering the nationals. SCSU finished the season with a 42-15 record.
