LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six NAIA programs were selected by their peers as the 2024 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on Tuesday.
Representing each of the NAIA’s six NAIA regions, these respective coaching staffs – Georgia Gwinnett College (Region I), Our Lady of the Lake University (Region II), Oklahoma City University (Region III), Jessup University (Region IV), Central Methodist University (Region V) and University of the Cumberlands (Region VI) - are now eligible for the ATEC/NFCA NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 12.
All six programs won their respective Opening Round pods and qualified for 2024 NAIA Softball World Series at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.
Regional (respective region only) and National Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted on by member head coaches.
Regional Winners (Records reflect games played through May 25)
Region I – Georgia Gwinnett
Head Coach: Kat Ihlenburg
Assistant Coaches: Ashley Razey, John Ihlenburg
Guided the Grizzlies to their second consecutive NAIA Softball World Series and fourth in program history … Earned second straight coaching staff honor … As the host and No. 2 seed, swept through the Lawrenceville Opening Round knocking off Southeastern (No. 25) and top seed Eastern Oregon (No. 10) twice … 5-1 at 2024 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic … Won the Continental Athletic Conference regular season and tournament crowns … Kat Ihlenburg named CAC Coach of the Year … Ranked 13th in final NAIA Coaches’ Poll of the regular season … Finished 2024 with a 32-17 record.
Region II – Our Lady of the Lake
Head Coach: Bruce Lenington
Assistant Coaches: Jody Armijo, Katrisha Arocha
Student Assistants: Gilbert Alvarado, Rebecca Duran
Second straight coaching staff recognition … No. 1 ranked program all season and earned top overall seed at NAIA Softball World Series … Posted an undefeated 24-0 mark to win the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) regular season title … Recorded a 45-game winning streak that was snapped in RRAC Conference Tournament … As hosts, OLLU swept through the NAIA Opening Round … Lenington named RRAC Coach of the Year … Second consecutive 50-win season, setting another single-season win mark which currently at 55 (55-3) … OLLU has not allowed a run through first five games of the NAIA postseason (35 innings).
Region III – Oklahoma City
Head Coach: Phil McSpadden
Associate Head Coach: Bobbi Bridges
Assistant Coaches: Guy Cook, Harold Copas
Ranked No. 2 nationally the majority of the season and earned No. 2 overall seed at NAIA Softball World Series … Finished season 54-5 and 35-1 in Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) play … Secured 12th SAC regular season crown … Perfect 28-0 at home … Had 32-game win streak snapped in SAC Tournament title game … McSpadden hit the 1,900 win mark in 2024 and finished the season with 1,945 career victories … Bridges was tabbed SAC Coach of the Year.
Region IV – Jessup
Head Coach: Brie Campbell
Assistant Coaches: Kristin Worley, Mark Watson
Volunteer Assistant: Kayla Altheide
Captured the Hattiesburg Opening Round bracket as the top seed to earn first-ever trip to NAIA Softball World Series … Reached 40 wins for the first time program history, defeating defending champions Southern Oregon and Oklahoma City in their first two World Series games (41-11) … Won the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season … Posted a 4-1 mark at the 2024 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic … Ranked seventh in final NAIA Coaches Poll of the regular season … Campbell earned her second GSAC Coach of the Year accolade.
Region V – Central Methodist
Head Coach: Pat Reardon
Associate Head Coach: Gene Reardon
Assistant Coach: Addy Reardon
Graduate Assistants: Madison Zaccardo, Morgan Wilson
Earned back-to-back trips to the NAIA Softball World Series … Collected a program-record 52 wins (52-7) … No. 3 overall seed at the World Series … Captured Fayette Opening Round, winning three straight elimination games, including two over No. 2 seed Indiana Wesleyan (No. 16) … 5-1 at 2024 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic … Won both the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) regular season and tournament titles … 24-0 in Heart regular season … Ranked No. 3 in final NAIA Coaches’ Poll of the regular season … Pat Reardon earned Heart Coach of the Year honors for the ninth time.
Region VI - Cumberlands
Head Coach: Bailey Dillender
Head Assistant Coach: Alyssa Richards
Assistant Coach: Mia Aldridge
Earned second consecutive berth to NAIA Softball World Series and is being recognized with the coaching staff honor for the second-straight year … Finished regular season as No. 4 ranked team NAIA Coaches’ Poll … Won Mid-South Conference regular season with a 23-1 record … Hosted and swept through Williamsburg Opening Round with three wins … Dillender and Richards were named MSC Head and Assistant Coach of the Year for second straight season … Currently 49-8 after winning two elimination games at the World Series.
The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded awards program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to and extensive drills database, to in-person events and National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!
