Softball: Hutchins Signs Five-Year Extension through 2017
Great news from an mgoblue.com press release:
The University of Michigan and head softball coach Carol Hutchins have agreed to a five-year contract extension, director of athletics Dave Brandon announced on Wednesday (Nov. 7). The extension will keep Hutchins at Michigan through the 2017 season.
"I continue to be blessed to be the head coach at the University of Michigan," Hutchins said. "I am grateful to Dave Brandon and (senior associate athletic director) Bitsy Ritt for their continued support of me, my coaching staff and our program. They have invested so much in our program and we look forward to the future."
"Coach Hutchins continues to be a tremendous asset to our athletic department and University," said Brandon. "She is a great leader of young women and has proven to be one of the most successful coaches in the history of collegiate softball. We are excited to have her continued leadership both on and off the diamond."
November 7th, 2012 at 1:39 PM ^
Not a hard choice after back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back titles. Good for her, and for M Softball.
November 7th, 2012 at 1:55 PM ^
November 7th, 2012 at 2:05 PM ^
November 7th, 2012 at 2:10 PM ^
than I remembered offhand. She'll be sixty when this extension is up in 2017.
November 7th, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^
November 7th, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^
She came in and spoke to Bacon's class once. Very inspiring woman.
November 7th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^
Great news indeed. It puts me in mind of what Hutch said to the team after winning the NCAA regional this year: "The only thing I've ever wanted - another chance to get better!" Her persistent drive for true excellence has made her program one of the crown jewels of the AD.
Related to this, I think you can make a compelling case that she belongs in the conversation among the greatest coaches in NCAA softball history. She probably can't take the top spot, because some of those Southwestern coaches have huge piles of National Championships. As the Ann Arbor News put it after we won the 2005 title, the accomplishment is " analogous to setting out to win an NCAA hockey title at the University of New Mexico. Then doing it." The systemic disadvantages that Michigan faces due to the nature of the sport are gigantic, and the fact that Hutch turns out a nationally elite team, year in and year out, is nothing short of remarkable. The Southern teams may have bigger trophy cases, but Michigan has worked much, much harder for what we have.
November 7th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^
November 7th, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^
Great coach and leader--has prepared many student/players to be successful in life.
November 7th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^
November 7th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^
the early LOI signing period starts next Wednesday and continues through the 21st. I don't know what M recruiting looks like at the moment, but I'd assume some faxes make their way to Hutch's office.
November 7th, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^
November 7th, 2012 at 7:58 PM ^
Hutch has to be my second favorite coach at Michigan after Red. A very close second though. I am glad she is extending her contract. Go Blue!