Marshall University Athletics
Four Former Herd Players Land Coaching Jobs
10/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Oct. 7, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- When Kennesaw State announced the hiring of former Marshall third baseman Leigh Wintter as an assistant coach two weeks ago, it rounded out a foursome of former members of the Thundering Herd softball team who now find themselves coaching at the NCAA Division I level.
Indeed, the Herd now has Wintter at Kennesaw State, Jessica Williams at San Diego State, Mandee Luers at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne, and Caitlyn Jackson at UNC-Greensboro, in what has been a very successful fall for former Herd softball players transitioning to the coaching ranks.
"We have had so many quality student-athletes come through our program and these four ladies accomplished a great deal with the Herd," said Head Coach Shonda Stanton. "They won championships, were stars in the classroom, and always gave back to the community. I am so proud to now have them as peers in the coaching ranks."
Wintter begins her DI coaching career at Kennesaw State as an assistant to Head Coach Scott Whitlock. Wintter spent the last three years coaching at Reinhardt University in Waleska, Ga., where she helped guide the Eagles to a combined 109-44 record from 2009-11, and an Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship in 2010 and 2011. She also played a pivotal role in her student-athlete's individual successes, as Reinhardt players garnered 17 All-Conference selections during her three years there. In her time at Marshall, Wintter hit 27 homeruns, 39 doubles, and 126 RBIs in 226 games, and was a two-time MAC Regular Season Champion and National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar Athlete.
Further out west, Wintter's former teammate, Jessica Williams, has also found herself in a DI coaching role. Serving as the University of San Diego's assistant coach, Williams went to the Torreros following coaching stints at Western Carolina University, and her alma-mater, Marshall University. While a player with the Herd, Williams was a First-Team All-Conference USA shortstop, team captain, and Academic All-American. She even played professional softball with the Akron Racers of the NPF this past summer.
Elsewhere, former Herd pitcher Mandee Luers has landed as the pitching coach of the Indian Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. Luers last served as a pitching coach for Belmont University, where she helped lower the Bruins' runs allowed per game. Luers was a strong competitor on the mound for Marshall, posting a career record of 21-9, and an impressive 12-6 record as a senior with a 3.28 ERA and 72 strikeouts. The 90 games she pitched during her years at Marshall ranks as the fifth highest total in program history. Luers was also an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete, and received academic honors from both the MAC and Conference USA.
And lastly, there is former Herd pitcher and utility player Caitlyn Jackson, who has begun her first year as UNC-Greensboro's pitching coach having just graduated from Marshall this past May. Jackson arrived at the Spartans with previous ties, having defeated them twice as a player in the 2007 and 2009 seasons, and having played at Marshall for Coach Stanton, who graduated from UNCG in 1995 after four seasons as a star player. A four-year starter, Jackson started 212 games out of a possible 219 in her career, finished fourth in Marshall history in career pitching appearances with 103, and ended fifth in batting average with a .320 mark. The California native was an NFCA All-Mideast First Team selection at pitcher/utility in 2009 and a C-USA All-Freshman selection in 2007. As a senior in 2010, Jackson hit .322 and led the squad with 56 hits.
"These respective programs will benefit greatly with Leigh, Mandee, Caitlyn, and Jess coaching, just as we have with Amanda," continued Stanton. "They are all excellent role models for the student-athletes they coach."
Meanwhile, the current Thundering Herd softball team will look to get back in action this weekend with fall matches against the University of Kentucky and Morehead State. Entering the weekend with a 4-0 fall record, the Herd will play a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday against the Wildcats, and will turn around to face Morehead State the following morning at 11:00. Morehead State will also play Ohio Valley at 1:00 on Sunday, and admission to all of the games is free.
