Michigan Tabbed NFCA's Top Coaching Staff in Great Lakes Region
6/11/2021 10:42:00 AM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Michigan softball coaching staff has been named the Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year as announced Thursday (June 10) by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The staff led the Wolverines to a 38-8 overall record, the program's 22nd Big Ten Conference title in program history and the Wolverines' 26th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Michigan's 2021 coaching staff consisted of head coach Carol Hutchins, associate head coach Bonnie Tholl, assistant coach Jennifer Brundage and volunteer assistant coach Mary Beth Dennison. It marks the 15th time the Michigan coaching staff has earned the Great Lakes Regional Coaching Staff of the Year distinction (1998-2002, '04-05, '08-10, '13-16, '18, '21) and is the 14th for the core contingent of Hutchins, Tholl and Brundage. U-M was honored with Speedline/NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year accolades in 2005.
Hutchins recently wrapped up her 39th season at Michigan (1985-2021). The second-winningest coach in NCAA softball history, Hutchins owns a career record of 1,669-533-5. She is an 18-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and has guided her players to 69 total All-America citations, while 13 Wolverines have earned Academic All-America accolades.
Tholl and Brundage have been Hutchins' primary assistants for the past 23 years, while Tholl recently completed her 28th overall season with the Wolverines and 19th as associate head coach. A fixture in the first-base coaching box, Tholl was a four-time All-Big Ten shortstop for Michigan (1988-91) and was one of four Wolverine players named to the first Big Ten All-Decade team (1982-92). She works primarily with the Wolverine outfielders, among them the 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year in junior Lexie Blair.
As the Wolverines' pitching coach, Brundage -- a former All-American at UCLA and 2000 Olympic gold medalist -- helped develop the 2021 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and All-American in junior right-handed pitcher Alex Storako. Dennison completed her third season as the volunteer assistant.
• NFCA Release
